Wilson – The message wafted in on the early morning breeze. It was merely a whisper: “If you build it, they will come.” Wilson heard it as he stood watch in the garden on the Schmidt farm. Build what, he wondered; who will come? He shrugged off the message and got to work. Those pesky crows were at the cabbages again.
During his morning break, Wilson gazed beyond the garden, to the fields in the distance. The message dogged him, like a pesky mosquito. Suddenly, his purview seemed limited, confining; his job, paltry and purposeless. And the words, “they will come,” made him realize he was lonely. Jim Schmidt, owner of the farm, had residences in MI and TX. For months, Wilson was alone.
Wilson’s brain, not used to weighty activity, began to twitch. He knew the only constant in life is change. Scaring crows and vermin, while boring, was constant and comfortable, while change could be scary. Another twitch, this one more like a jolt. Wilson tucked in his plaid shirt, straightened his overalls, and squared his shoulders. Wasn’t his name Wilson – a name associated with sports, racquets, balls, courts? Hold on, courts? “If you build them…” Looking at the acreage beyond the garden, the message began taking shape in his mind. He needed to talk to Jim.
The History – The Schmidt Farm began in the late 1800s when Jim great-grandfather purchased 160 acres in Grand Haven Township. Between 1900 and 1950 the farm sustained the family, with wheat, corn, hay, vegetables, and potatoes, an apple orchard, ten Holstein cows, and calves/yearlings sold at auction. Jim’s Uncle Bill Sr inherited the farm in 1955 and started selling off acreage. Concerned and wanting to keep the farm in the family, Jim purchased the remaining 78 acres and upon his uncle’s death in 1993, the farm was his.
Jim upgraded the outbuildings and silo, put in new fencing, a new power source, and a well. He cleared brush and dead trees. When a winter storm leveled the barn in 2008, Jim replaced it to its original design, lining one wall with wood he salvaged. He installed the original cow stanchions and calf pen. The centennial farm became an impressive landmark.
The Legacy – In 2019 Schmidt donated 67 acres of land to GH Charter Township for a recreational park. In 2020 taxpayers approved a Parks and Recreation bond and on May 2, 2022, construction began on Schmidt Heritage Park (SHP).**
Phase 1, includes 12 pickleball courts, 6 soccer fields, a softball and baseball field, a trail around the park’s perimeter, restrooms, shelters, and parking. Future phases include two baseball diamonds, two softball fields, more restrooms, shelters, and parking. Eventually, the area containing the barn, outbuildings, and Wilson’s garden, will be available for public use. A dedication, of Phase I, held on June 28, included a flag ceremony and an appearance by MSU’s Sparty (paid for by Schmidt, an MSU alum). Wilson, wielding a pickleball paddle (which he discovered is also helpful in scaring crows), watched over the proceedings from the garden, proclaiming SHP officially open to the public.
According to Schmidt, “After 125 years, I’m humbled the Schmidt family farm is a unique recreational park for this community.” Wilson had no comment.
Postscript – SHP a ‘Third’ Place
A ‘Third’ place describes venues where people spend time between home, their ‘First’ place, and work/school, their ‘Second’ place – informal places where new acquaintances are made, friendships renewed; leveling places where everyone is welcome, no matter their age, profession, or social class; places where camaraderie reigns and prestige and self-aggrandizement have no place; places necessary to the wellbeing of a community; places that are disappearing due to mallification, suburbs, and freeway expansion; however, thanks to the craze of pickleball and SHP, there’s a new ‘Third’ place in town!
*Field of Dreams
**For a virtual tour of SHP’s development visit
https://www.preinnewhof.com/construction_projects/ghct-schmidt/
Access my article on “The Disappearance of Bowling Leagues and the New ‘Third’ Place, in the July/August issue of SP at https://seniorresourceswmi.org/senior-perspectives-newspaper/ or
janet hasselbring 