Nine parks are available to residents and visitors throughout the city of Fraser. Steffens Park combines sports and play facilities with a seasonal market; McKinley Barrier-Free Park offers accessible outdoor recreation opportunities for children and adults with differing abilities. The area also has historic transportation routes and buildings with specific construction dates. This mix offers you different ways to plan your trip: park amenities, seasonal events and local history.
Parks with Different Features
Steffens Park is Fraser's largest park. Its facilities include tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, a playground and other recreational areas. Fort Fraser is a wooden play structure in the park and has been a fixture in the community since 1999. If you are choosing between sports and play, Steffens brings both together in one place.
From May through September, the Recreation Department holds a farmers market there once a month. Vendors offer fruit and vegetables, flowers, crafts and food. The market adds a seasonal event to the park's offerings for anyone who wants to plan a visit around the local market as well. Dates and vendor selection may change; check both if the market is an essential part of your plans.
Outdoor recreation with accessibility in mind is the focus at McKinley Barrier-Free Park. The park offers recreational opportunities for children and adults with differing abilities. Facilities include a “Walk and Roll” trail, a pavilion, an accessible restroom, a sand area for toddlers, benches, play structures and a parking lot. The two parks therefore differ in the amenities described: Steffens combines sports courts, a playground and a market, while McKinley Park includes features such as the “Walk and Roll” trail and the sand area.
Transportation Routes and Architectural History
Fraser's historic transportation routes can also be traced through specific landmarks. Construction of the Utica Plank Road, also called Utica Road, began in 1851; the route ran from the Gratiot Turnpike to the city of Utica. In 1858, the Chicago, Detroit and Canada Grand Trunk Junction Railroad acquired a right-of-way through Fraser. A depot was later built on what is still called Depot Road. The road and railroad therefore mark different stages in the area's transportation history.
The two-story brick house on the grounds of the Baumgartner House Museum was built in 1875. Behind the Baumgartner House stands the Hemme Barn. It features mortise-and-notch construction with hand-hewn main beams; German crosses are carved into its upper section. The current St. John's Lutheran Church building dates from 1884. The two construction dates place the house and church building in relation to one another in time, while the Hemme Barn offers a different point of interest with its construction and carvings.
An Annual Event
The annual Fraser Parade starts at Fraser High School and ends at Fraser City Hall at the intersection of 14 Mile Road and Garfield Road. If you want to time your trip around the parade, check the current event date before making plans. Alongside the places described as permanent attractions, this gives you an annual event to consider when choosing your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Harrison Township, Warren, Mount Clemens, St Clair Shores, Roseville, Clinton Township, Utica, Sterling Heights
For the main travel overview: Macomb.
