This is a thread of ascending articles written by different groups when we learned that a very large garden was being planned to encircle the flagpole at Lower Zorn Park. The objections are varied, but what the crux of the matter is , is the lack of understandable process that went into the presentations and the recent proposal to the City Council. See below:
We ask: Isn’t the beauty of Zorn Park enjoying a picnic, a game of baseball with grandpa and a dip in the water? Harbor Springs Garden Club is putting in a 15 foot in diameter garden around the flagpole with concrete pavers as a keyhole so you can raise and lower the flag, taking away from our grass and free space. Should that be allowed? We need to preserve and protect our limited green space and waterfront. Can you think about this proposal and let us know what you think ? Is this what we want lower Zorn Park to look like ….or
Letter to City Council May 2, 2025
Flag Pole Letter to City Council PDF
May 2, 2025
The Honorable Mayor Tom Graham
City Councilperson Jaime Melke
City Councilperson Kathy Motschall
City Councilperson Wendy Reeve
City Councilperson Michael Behrmann
160 Zoll Street
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Dear Mr. Mayor, and City Council Members,
First, thank you each for your dedication to your job as a Council members. Your thoughtful questions and attention to details make it clear you have the town’s best interests at heart. With just five members on the City Council, each vote carries significant weight, and your roles have been invaluable.
Regarding the Flagpole:
While the Club’s wish to commemorate its 50th anniversary is understandable this flagpole project is not ready to be approved by City Council. The location is a step too far—and one we believe the Council must firmly reject.
It reflects a broader push to ‘enhance or beautify,’ modernize, and alter Harbor Springs in ways many residents do not prefer—and have not approved.
There are far more suitable locations within the city—and even within Zorn Park—such as near the Zorn Beach sign, the WWI Memorial, the parking lot/bathrooms, or the alley near the yellow house. Any of these would allow the Garden Club to achieve its goals without breaking up the park’s most valuable open space. That open lawn is essential for sunbathing, picnicking, playing catch or Frisbee, and enjoying the beach, without worrying about trampling a flower bed or navigating around new sidewalks and paved areas.
The proposal also reflects an inconsistent and, seemingly at times arbitrary application of ADA standards: strict where unnecessary and overlooked where genuinely needed. There is no justification for adding an extensive ornamental garden and concrete structure in the middle of limited parkland, which would trigger mandated ADA buildouts, such as concrete paths to the flagpole, that are unnecessary and have not been sought by residents. The current setup has served the community well for decades. Notably, the marble monument at the base of the flagpole, intended long ago for further commemoration, sits blank to this day.
Additionally, while the Garden Club’s offer is presented as a donation, no specific dollar amount or terms have been disclosed. If this is to be treated as a true donation, the Council should require a formal agreement detailing full responsibilities—including funding, maintenance, irrigation, edging, long-term bed upkeep, and scope—before any further consideration.
This well-intentioned proposal is neither well-conceived nor aligned with real needs of our waterfront. More pressing priorities—such as upgrading the restroom facilities—will deliver far greater benefits to residents and visitors alike.
The most recent sizable donation to Zorn Park was made with the explicit intention of preserving open space by relocating the playground to its original beach location. What message does the City send to current and future donors if it fails to honor the clearly stated intentions behind such gifts?
Perhaps most important is honoring the intent of Emily Meier, who, along with her husband Henry, gifted the land for the park to the city in 1933. After the drowning of a local boy, Mrs. Meier was determined to provide a safe public beach for children and families. She rejected offers to sell the property to private buyers in favor of gifting it to the city. Her vision was clear: maintaining open, public bathing and recreation space.
As reported in the Emmet County Graphic on August 31, 1933: “Council Purchases 173 Feet of Property on West Side of Harbor from Allen Brothers at a cost of $3500. The city this week acquired 233 feet of water frontage on the west side of the harbor to be used as a public bathing beach. Mrs. Henry M. Meier made an outright gift to the city of 60 feet of this frontage expressly “to be used always as a public bathing beach, particularly for children.” Mrs. Meier’s gift was made on the provision that the city would buy the former Allen property and that the entire site would be converted into a public bathing beach. When the council closed the contract Tuesday morning at a special meeting with the Allen brothers, Mrs. Meier immediately deeded her property”.
Encroaching on the park with a paved, purely ornamental garden—further shrinking the precious beach and recreation area—directly contradicts the spirit and specific goals of Emily Meier’s gift.
We respectfully urge you to vote to preserve Harbor Springs’ precious green space, reject this proposal, and return it to the Garden Club with instructions to identify a more appropriate and welcomed location. This is an opportunity to reaffirm the city’s century-long tradition of preservation, protection, and responsible stewardship.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and leadership.
Sincerely,
Janie Jenkins, on behalf of We Love Harbor Springs.org
441 2nd Street, Harbor Springs, MI. 49740
CC: Jim Ramer
Harbor Springs Garden Club to celebrate 50th anniversary with new Zorn garden
The Petoskey News-Review – May 7, 2025
Karly Graham
HARBOR SPRINGS
- Harbor Springs City Council approved a donated flower garden around the flagpole in Zorn Park.
- ·The Harbor Springs Garden Club will fund and maintain the garden, which will serve as a veterans memorial garden.
- · Some residents expressed concerns about the loss of green space.
A bit more color will be coming to Zorn Park this spring, with the Harbor Springs City Council approving a donated flower garden during their meeting on Monday.
The council unanimously approved putting a circular garden around the flagpole at Zorn Park, which is intended to be used as a veterans memorial garden.
According to city code, the Department of Public Works would be responsible for the design and construction of the park garden, though it would be funded and maintained by the Harbor Springs Garden Club.
Members of the Harbor Springs Garden Club attended the May 5 council meeting to explain the project and their hopes for it.
Annie Patterson, vice president of the club, said the garden would be their 15th in the city. It would also help the club celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Patterson added that they are interested in bringing the garden to Zorn Park because it will serve as an opportunity to expand their footprint and have another garden available on the west side of the city. They are also hoping the garden will be an opportunity to honor local veterans, creating a formal gathering space around the flagpole at the park.
The goal is to offer a 15-foot radial design, including a 4-foot-wide walkway with a 2-foot-wide circumference around the flagpole. There would be evergreen plats along with annual flowers, allowing for consistent color from spring to fall. Additionally, Patterson said the plants will all be low-growing ones so as to not obstruct the view of the water.
There will be pavers around the garden flat to the ground.
Prior to council’s approval, multiple members of the community shared concerns about losing green space at Zorn Park.
Dana Mulder, chair of the parks board, said the board considers flowers to be green space and said they are in support of bringing more flowers to the park.
The Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of creating a master plan for each park in the city, and Zorn Park’s master plan has not yet been finished. Some residents asked that the garden wait until the master plan is complete before deciding whether or not to move forward with the project.
During public comment, Karin Offield said she wanted the city to remember the park was originally donated to be used as a children’s space.
According to a document on the City of Harbor Springs website, part of the land for lower Zorn Park was donated to the city by the Meier family, who spent summers on Harbor Point. An adjacent property was purchased by the city in 1933, totaling 233 feet of water frontage.
The idea for a new park started in 1909, bringing upper Zorn Park to life. After World War I, a new park memorial was dedicated honoring local men who died in the war.
DPW director Lucas VanderZee said there previously was a raised flower garden around the flagpole, which was originally donated in 2001. He said he doesn’t know when the flower garden went away, but that the wood holding the flower bed slowly deteriorated, and with it so did the small garden.
During public comment, Patrick Kenney said he’s a fan of flowers, but would like to see the space at the park preserved.
“I don’t understand why we couldn’t certainly look for another spot in the park,” he said. “I’m not opposed to having flowers in Zorn Park — I’m opposed to having flowers in Zorn Park where it takes away from the recreation of those that use the park. It seems counterintuitive to me that the garden club would want to encroach in any way upon the recreation area and the open space of the park. … To put it into the center area, the open space of the precious, small square footage of Lower Zorn where the mass amount of people recreate is counterintuitive. We’re taking away from a park, we’re not adding to it.”
Council member Wendy Reeves asked if the flagpole could be moved to provide a compromise.
Parks director Rachel Roon said they have discussed moving the flagpole, but it is not something the city would be able to do themselves and would require bringing in special equipment, which is why they did not explore the option further.
Mulder said the board may consider the option of moving the flagpole once the master plan is complete for the park. She added that the garden club was very open to moving the garden in the future if that seems to be a better option down the road.
History of Zorn Park – Provided by the City website:
https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Harbor-Light-Zorn-Park-Final-V2.pdf
Kiwanis, Zorn parks among top priorities for Harbor Springs parks and rec department
The Petoskey News-Review January 23, 2025
Karly Graham HARBOR SPRINGS
With a lineup of projects on the docket, it’s hard to figure out what should come first for the Harbor Springs Parks and Recreation Department.
During Monday’s city council meeting, Parks Director Rachel Roon asked council for guidance regarding what projects they would like to see prioritized in the coming years, so the department and board has a better idea of where to focus their fundraising efforts.
Things like updating the plumbing at the Zorn Park bathrooms, opening an outdoor building at Kiwanis Park, extending the Little Traverse Wheelway into downtown and more were in discussion.
Minutes from the May 5th City Council Meeting
B. Garden Club Zorn Park Garden Proposal
Sinadinoski explained that The Harbor Springs Garden Club is proposing a circular garden around the flag pole
at Zorn Park. The garden will be 15 feet in diameter and includes a path to the pole. Garden Club representatives
will be present to explain the project. The Parks Board and City staff reviewed the plans and support the project.
City Code places the responsibility of design and construction of parks in DPW’s hands. However, the garden is
an unbudgeted item and would be donated (and maintained) by the Garden Club, and thus it should be subject to
the City’s Donation Policy. For such donations, the project should be evaluated based on eight criteria. In short,
those are as follows (staff’s comments in red):
1. Alignment with the goals in the City’s plans. Directly or indirectly related goals include:
Master Plan Goal 2(d): Develop and implement a landscape plan for public areas in the City where the overall
appearance and character could be improved or potentially augmented.
Master Plan Goal 4(b): Continue enhancing and improving existing public spaces for the benefit of all users.
Parks Plan Goal 3: Provide conveniently located, exceptionally maintained, safe and attractive parks and
facilities, with priority given to making existing parks and facilities as nice as possible.
Parks Plan Goal 4: Look for ways to improve accessibility at all of our parks.
2. Requirement of Maintenance/Repair. Elements must be of a quality to ensure a long life, be resistant to
weather, wear and tear, and acts of vandalism. A mix of annual and perennial plants will require regular upkeep
by the garden club; pavers will also need to be replaced/repaired as needed, but they should last many years.
3. Requirement of Consistency with Current and Future Use- Proposed donations should not substantially
interfere with the intended current or future use of the land or facility. There should be little impact on current
uses of the park because the garden is around the flag pole and does not prevent visitors from using the park as
they normally use it (mostly passive activities).
4. Uniqueness of the Proposed Gift. There is only one public garden west of State Street. While public flower
gardens are common throughout the city, they are rare in the western half of the city.
5. Whether the Proposed Gift Requires Relocation, Removal or Installation of Other Equipment or Infrastructure
to Accommodate the Donation. City may have to make minor adjustments to irrigation in the immediate
vicinity.
6. Impact on Public Health and Safety and/or Welfare. No detrimental impact to health or safety.
7. Costs Associated with the Proposed Gift. The only costs would be potential irrigation costs (which currently
exists in the area) and annual brush pick up that DPW performs at all public properties and existing gardens
8. Aesthetics- Donations and their recognition shall reflect the character and be consistent with the intended
surroundings. While this is subjective, the addition of a flower garden can enhance the beauty of the area.
Several members of the garden club presented a slide show, and explained the project.
Council discussed the garden with input from the audience.
- They discussed issues such as loss of greenspace,
- type of plantings,
- any hardscape issues involved in the project.
- Many comments were given regarding the loss of green space, the fact that it would take away from the park’s recreation capabilities.
- There was also discussion and comments regarding ADA accessibility
- and the possibility of moving the garden to a different park.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion was offered.
#9440 Motion by Behrmann, second by Motschall to accept the donation of a garden surrounding the
flag pole at Zorn Park by the Harbor Springs Garden Club on the condition that Attorney Ramer
reviews any ADA issues that may arise with the project. A roll call vote was taken.
Ayes – Behrmann, Graham, Motschall, Reeve, and Melke
Nays – None Absent- None Motion Carried.
May 14, 2025
Dear Members of the Harbor Springs Garden Club,
I am writing to express deep appreciation for the Garden Club’s generous proposal to celebrate its 50th anniversary by donating a new garden in Zorn Park in honor of veterans. However, as this well-intentioned gift has evolved, it has also prompted significant public concern regarding transparency, land use, regulatory compliance, and respect for community legacy. I ask you to kindly reconsider the location of the planned garden.
What began as a simple plan—to plant flowers around the existing flagpole at Lower Zorn Beach—has raised broader civic questions. These include the preservation of public green space, adherence to donor intent, compliance with ADA standards, zoning limitations, and transparency in city decision-making. While the Harbor Springs City Council approved the plan on May 5th, many critical aspects remain unresolved.
The proposal, as reported by the Petoskey News-Review, includes the Garden Club funding and maintaining the garden while the City’s Department of Public Works will “design and construct it.” This detail, not mentioned in public presentations, raises questions about the use of public resources for a privately donated project and whether such decisions were made with appropriate public oversight.
Though the Council’s approval was swift, the proposal presented was incomplete. The design includes permanent cement pavers and may likely trigger ADA compliance requirements—such as an accessible path from the parking lot and a level concrete pad around the installation. These essential elements were not addressed in the most recent public plans or acknowledged during City Council’s review. The absence of this information is concerning.
The proposed location—directly in the center of the beach’s only open lawn—is not the only viable site. Many residents have suggested relocating the flagpole to the Veterans Memorial area in Upper Zorn Park or installing an additional flagpole elsewhere. While city staff dismissed this as too complex, community members have now stepped forward with funding support specifically to protect the beach lawn, while still honoring veterans and providing the Garden Club with space for a thoughtful commemorative design.
Moreover, the Upper Park carries historic significance. In 1920, following World War I, a memorial fountain and pavilion designed by Earl Mead were dedicated there as the “Soldiers and Sailors Memorial and Well.” This makes it an especially appropriate setting for a veterans’ tribute garden.
There are significant procedural issues that merit your attention. The City Council agenda stated that the Parks and Recreation Board supported the plan. In fact, at their April 15 meeting, the Board unanimously rejected the initial proposal due to the size and hardscape and requested that the design be scaled down. A revised plan presented just two weeks later reduced the diameter by only 12 inches—from 16 to 15 feet—and failed to show any required access paths. The City Council approved this version without Parks Board re-review, without discussion of ADA-compliance issues, and without a full accounting of potential public costs or long-term impact on Zorn Beach’s limited green space. According to the press, Public Works will “design and construct” the garden per City Code, although this cost was not shared in public forums.
Zorn Beach was gifted in 1933 by Emily and Henry Meier with one specific condition: that it remain open for children’s public bathing and recreation. This gift followed a tragic drowning of a local boy, and Mrs. Meier rejected offers to sell the land privately in order to preserve its public use. This intent continues to shape the beach’s purpose today. In fact, recent community donations to restore the beach playground to its original location and not be added onto the green space show an ongoing commitment to honoring this legacy by the Meier Family.
Installing permanent hardscape in the lawn area risks violating both the spirit and potentially the terms of that gift. It could also discourage future philanthropic efforts that depend on trust in the City’s stewardship.
Permanent installations on the beach lawn will likely require ADA-compliant infrastructure such as paved walkways and level surfacing—features not shown in the current plan. By contrast, Upper Zorn Park already offers existing sidewalks and easier access, making it a more practical and cost-effective location.
While some argue the impact on green space is minimal, those who use the park know otherwise. Lower Zorn is Harbor Springs’ only true public beach—a cherished place for families, visitors, and generations of residents. Digging up the lawn, adding 30 bags of topsoil to the sand under the grass to install a permanent structure disrupts that legacy.
We all want to honor veterans meaningfully and celebrate community spirit. But we must also protect our shoreline, our waterfrontage, maintain public trust, and ensure that all decisions reflect thoughtful planning, transparency, and respect for our town’s shared values.
I respectfully urge the Garden Club to reconsider the location of this project. With donor support already available, and community interest strong, this is an opportunity to create a more inclusive, fitting, and sustainable memorial—one that aligns with both historical intent and the needs of future generations.
With sincere appreciation for all your contributions to the beauty of our city,
Thank you for this consideration,
Janie Jenkins
441 Second Street Harbor Springs, MI 49740
May 22, 2025
Dear Victor and Mr. Ramer,
We are hoping you can clarify several concerns brought to our attention and that we share regarding the new garden space awarded to the Garden Club at lower Zorn Beach.
The City Council’s May 1 agenda states: “The garden will be 15 feet in diameter and includes a path to the pole.” However, at the April 15 Parks Board meeting, the proposal was returned to the Garden Club due to concerns that the garden was too large.
Also, the path to the flagpole was not shown on any maps or included in any packets. The Garden Club states ADA compliance was reviewed with legal counsel.
Our questions:
- Where is the proposed path to the flagpole? No such path appears in the submitted drawings.
- What is the path’s construction—hard surface or gravel?
- Does it need to meet ADA standards? If so, what are the requirements? New construction, including ornamental features, may trigger ADA compliance, and all scope and location details should be made public before proceeding.
- Do the proposed pavers meet ADA standards? If not, how can they be used?
- What is the total cost to the City to prepare the site—excavation, irrigation rerouting, mowing, path work? No budget has been provided.
- What is the full cost of DPW work on this garden, including irrigation, and is there a projected annual maintenance cost?
- How much has the City allocated to the Garden Club, and will funding continue?
Also, the proposed site overlaps with several zoning designations. Has the Planning Commission reviewed this?
We’ve received community concerns about land use, public funds supporting private nonprofits, limitations on public access, taxpayer liability, and oversight by Planning and Parks Commissions. Before approving any new path or sidewalk in Zorn Park, we recommend involving the Planning Commission. Since no Master Plan exists for this park, should this proceed now? Community opposition to relocating the Zorn Park playground demonstrates the public’s commitment to preserving its open, flexible space.
Given the lack of clear information, how was this project approved so quickly? We request a full clarification of all ADA-related aspects of this proposal.
Lastly, the City’s donation policy states: “Proposed donations should not substantially interfere with the intended current or future use of the land or facility.” The Garden Club claims the garden won’t affect park use. We disagree. Zorn Park should remain a space for sunbathing, play, and unobstructed recreation and planned park events—not disrupted by ornamental landscaping.
In light of the ADA concerns and the reduction in open space, we respectfully request legal counsel review the project and ask the City Manager to clarify the issues noted above.
Sincerely, Janie Jenkins
Harbor Springs Resident
Thursday May 22, 2025
Victor Sinadinoski
Janie,
Thank you for your letter. As you know, City Council approved the garden at Zorn Park on May 5. The garden as proposed does not create an ADA issue. There is no walkway being constructed to the garden. The Garden Club is assuming all installation costs and there should be no costs to the City.
If this is not fully responsive to your inquiry, I recommend you ask the City Council about the issues, and the Council can decide whether to authorize further study of the matter.
Thanks,
-Victor
#image_title
May 28th, 2025
To Whom It May Concern,
Nothing says “welcome to the beach” like a 15-foot circle of delicate petunias, right?
Just to clarify: this flowery monument to misplaced priorities is 176 square feet. That’s almost two farmers market tents, ten beach towels, or one glorious parking space. It’s also 0.004 acres—a figure that impresses no one but the flower bed.
This is a kid’s beach park. You know—running, laughing, Frisbees, sandy feet, sunblock wars, and picnics. But sure, let’s fence off a prime patch of grass for a bouquet.
The real question is: would 10 kids or two families rather have room to sprawl on the grass by the beach… or stop and contemplate begonias?
Spoiler alert: they brought towels, not pruning shears.
PS: And while we’re at it—if only, if only—there were other areas to honor the flag.
Maybe somewhere that isn’t beachfront real estate for toddlers and tired parents.
Maybe somewhere that doesn’t turn play space into a gated garden party for geraniums.
Just a wild thought from the crowd trying to find a flat spot to set down a cooler without crushing a daisy.
We’re all for patriotism. But let’s salute the flag and leave room for the beach ball.
With fragrant confusion,
Your name here…..