East Park

The fire sparked the construction of East Park. Even in mid-Depression a visionary group of professional and business men, who realized the potential of the view that opened up, was able to make sure the city obtained almost all the rest of the 300 block and razed it. The newly exposed land was then tranformed into what Charlevoix and untold thousands of visitors have for so long enjoyed, thanks to the burning of a hotel. East Park was given a total makeover, including a major expansion of the marina facilities, from 2007 to 2009.

The Charlevoix Honor Roll used to stand in East Park, a listing of all the Charlevoix area people who served their country in World War II.

The first Waterfront Art Fair was held in East Park in 1959. Only a handful of artists participated. They displayed their creations on tables, upright pegboard, easels, or propped against sticks. There were no booths or other enclosures to protect the works from direct sunlight. Since then, the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair has grown into one of the most respected anywhere. It was named one of the top two outdoor art fairs in Michigan along with the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, and ranked as one of the 100 best art fairs in the country by the Art Fair Source Book.