Manly W Bennett Memorial Park

Hamburg Township invites you to come out and play! Our 384-acre recreational facility includes baseball/softball/T-ball diamonds, soccer fields, playgrounds, football practice areas that accommodate rugby, a model airplane runway/flying field, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, a disc golf course and a pickleball court! The site also has an event area accessible from the southern driveway to East Park, which is sized to accommodate larger events such as the Hamburg Family Fun Fest.

Development of the park has occurred through the combined efforts of the sports organizations, local non-profit contributions, grant monies and taxpayer dollars. The Parks and Recreation Committee, appointed by the Township Board of Trustees, is a recommending body charged with planning for future development of the park, as well as continuing maintenance and improvements with funds provided by the taxpayers.

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SPORTS PROGRAMS

Youth sports programs that use the Hamburg Township park facilities are responsible for all expenses and management of the program. Hamburg Township does not run or sponsor any sports programs and have partnered with organizations to provide those services. You can find a current list of contacts for sports programming here by clicking here.

EVENTS

In addition to numerous sports programs, Manly W. Bennett Park has been home to the annual Family Funfest sponsored by H.E.R.O.  In 2019 the organization brought the the Moving Wall Vietnam Memorial to West Park, and you can find more information on their website at www.themovingwallhamburg.org. To hold a special event at Manly W. Bennett Park or on the Lakelands Trail, please complete an application no less than 60 days in advance. Click here for more information. or to complete an application.

All events are reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Committee, who make their recommendation to the Township Board of Trustees which governs all park related activities under its Park Facility Use Policy. To determine if the parks are available for your event, please plan ahead and inquire here.

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PARK HISTORY

In 1973, an effort to acquire land for recreation use was launched by a group of Hamburg Township residents.  Their desire was to provide recreational opportunities to the families living in Hamburg Township. What these citizens began years ago has allowed Hamburg Township to provide a facility like none other in Livingston County. The park land is located along both the east and west sides of Merrill Road. With the exception of the municipal office complex, this land has been designated and developed as Manly W. Bennett Memorial Park.

On August 28, 2003, Hamburg Township was notified that the Michigan Society of Planning Officials selected Manly W. Bennett Memorial Park for the 2003 Outstanding Planning Project Award.

A Parks and Recreation Master Plan was approved and adopted by the Township Board in 2018.  This plan provides a blueprint for the future development of Parks and Recreation related facilities, including the Senior/Community Center and the Lakelands Trail. Plans are being made now for the renewal of the document which expires at the end of 2022. Public input is always welcome, so please be sure and send the Park Coordinator an email with any ideas you have for future facilities or programming!

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Updated: 10/4/23 DH