Hunters Orchard
Old River Trail west of Delta Mills Park
42.1 acres
Park closes at dusk
Park Map
Park Amenities
3 picnic/fishing areas with grills
1 wheelchair-accessible picnic/fishing dock with grill
2 canoe landings
Non-motorized trails with loops of .45 miles, .75 miles, and 1.3 miles
Wheelchair-accessible portion of trail is approximately 2/3 of a mile along river
Parking for 14 vehicles
1 port-a-john (not guaranteed)
For more aerial photos go to:
http://www.mapjunction.com/places/Eaton
In February 2000 the Township received a gift that will be of benefit to each and every resident now and in the future. Mr. Howard Hunter and his family have given the Township 26 acres of land in Section 3 to be used as a park. Mr. Hunter and his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Howard Hedlund donated the property with 3500 feet of frontage on the Grand River located west of Delta Mills Park on Old River Trail. The Hunters have owned the property since 1934 and have operated Hunter’s Orchard since that time. Most children who attended school in this area over the past several years have visited the Orchard and have been given the personal tour by Mr. Hunter. Many times the tour included a ride on the tractor pulled wagon and a sample of the apples grown on the farm. Township Clerk Janice Vedder, who was instrumental in procuring the property, was told by Mr. Hunter that it has been a long time dream of his family to donate the property for a Township park. He also said that children and adults would now use the property forever. The Board of Trustees accepted the gift at their February 7, 2000 meeting and at the same time established the development of the property as a park as the number one priority in the capital improvements schedule of the Parks and Recreation Department – a move recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Commission.
A grant was received from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for assistance in funding the development. The park is primarily flood plain and was developed as a natural area with approximately 1.3 miles of non-motorized trails with nearly 2/3 of a mile of the trails being accessible by wheelchair. Other features of the park include several picnic areas, canoe landings and breathtaking views of the Grand River.
The project was completed in October, 2002.