• Saturday-What'sUP April 16 - 07:34 pm

Toivo's computer is on the blink, so he asked me to trade a day... You owe me big time now, Toivo.

When Springtime abounds, thoughts turn to the out-of-doors. What better place to spend the day than enjoying the fresh air and amenities of Marquette's Ellwood A. Mattson Lower Harbor Park. Something here for everyone in this 22 acre open space park, pictured in part here by Ryan Wainio. Of course there's the usual fare, like picnic tables and park benches, but that's where the similarities end and the unique take over. There's a bike path running through the park, a walkway along the waters edge with lighting to brighten your evening stroll, a marina nearby and of course there's a playground called Kid's Cove. I'm not quite certain what the bell tower structure is for though, maybe someone else can give us the scoop on that one.

While you're out and about today, don't forget to stop at the Post Office in time to mail out your missive to the IRS. In case you didn't notice it's TAX Day!

hmmm... Maybe that's really what's up with Toivo ;->

Happy Easter to everyone!!! Hope you'll all have a great weekend. Wonderful spring-weather in southern Sweden today.

Awesome pictures, as usual. I'm really looking forward to warm summerdays, when one can go swim in those lakes... :-)

Mary, Tax day has been moved to April 17th this year (Monday), because the 15th falls on a Saturday and holiday weekend ;) I'm holding off as long as possible, on writing those tax checks.

Beautiful springtime pic of the lake. Saw an online newspaper article about some teenage girls taking a plunge in Lake Superior, out by Marquette, earlier this week. Brrrrrrrr....

What great pictures! I love pictures like this at this time of year.

How blue the water looks. What a wonderful thought for the day.

Happy Easter everyone, the pictures are beautiful, can't wait to see the area for myself again this August!

I dont remember the bell? Where is that located from the ice cream palor and big play gound in the lower harbor.
Happy Easter to ALL and thank you Pasty Cam for this awesome venue in keeping close to the UP in spirit when we cant be there otherwise!!

Can somebody tell me how to get there? I've been to the zoo out in Presque Isle I believe, but don't know where this is.

Mary says: Try this link: www.michigan.org, then on the right under "Related Links", click on either "Interactive Map" or "Driving Directions". Hopefully that will give you a better idea of how to get there!

The bell tower is on the west end of Mattson Lower Harbor park, adjacent to Lakeshore Boulevard (so it's on the other side of the park from the playground area).

The tower is in honor of the firefighters of Marquette from the past and the present. The bell on top of the tower is actually the one from Marquette's original firehouse. There's information posted about that near the foot of the bell tower.

Deb S and Mary. Unfortunately the Michigan.org map puts the park in the wrong place! For some reason, that star marks the Maritime Museum. Mattson Park is in downtown Marquette, across from the old downtown oar docks, where those of us who are very old remember there used to be a coal unloading facility. The bell tower pictured is close to the intersection of Washington (Marquette's main east-west street) and Lakeshore Drive. It's been a great addition to the city, and has sparked a generation of new development along the downtown lakefront. Several old buildings, including the Oddfellows lodge, are now upscale condos and there are new townhouses as well.

Marquette's Lower Harbor is just beauiful...Upper Harbor is as well.... Presque Isle is a priceless treasure........Marquette is a jewel in the Upper Peninsula:...Has it all ....Great History,The Catholic Diocese Cathedral, Northern Michigan University & Olympic Training Center, The Superior Dome, Marquette General Medical Center, Sawyer International Airport, Marquette Symphony Orchestra, great skiiing & snow sports plus the sled dog race each winter .....great shopping...(Younkers, Pier One, Target etc)....beautiful condos all on the shore of beautiful Lake Superior....recently voted: "A Cool City"......