HIGHLAND PARK
a HISTORIC Summer Resort

This Brochure was prepared by the Highland Park Board for Renters and Guests. Other information for renters about Highland Park and things to do in Western Michigan can be found throughout the website at

http://www.highlandparkassociation.org/

If you would like a paper copy of this brochure, please contact the cottages owner. The board has provided multiple copies of the brochure to each owner who rents their cottage. You may also find copies at the small store at the entrance to the Park. The store is open on weekends.

“QUIET HOURS”

It’s summer time and that means longer days, warmer weather, outdoor living, beautiful sunsets, lake breezes and open cottage windows. Voices, laughter and music float through The Park, vertically and horizontally, along unanticipated pathways as a result of our unique setting in the dunes. With the cottages in such close proximity, it is important to keep radios, TV’s etc. subdued to avoid disturbing neighbors. Published “quiet” times must be observed:

Sunday night to Friday morning:	Friday night to Sunday morning:
11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.	Midnight to 9:00 a.m.

Please be tactful when reminding a cottage occupant of the quiet hours at night or in the morning.

Safety-This is not Disneyland

Not every conceivable hazard has been removed from our natural and historic environs.

• The boardwalks, sidewalks and roadways have uneven surfaces that pose tripping hazards.
• The boardwalks are extremely slippery when wet.
• Poison ivy grows in the woods.
• The lake and pier pose their own set of hazards.

Highland Park (1886): On May 7, 1884 the City of Grand Haven purchased a narrow strip of dune land along Lake Michigan. At that time there was no development along Lake Michigan so the dunes adjacent to the Lake were considered to be of little value. Two years later, part of the land purchased in 1884 was leased for a resort.

On May 10, 1886 the Grand Haven City Council leased a section of Lake Michigan dune land to the Highland Park Association. The leased property was the beginning of Grand Haven’s oldest summer resort.
The Highland Park Corporation was organized on June 7, 1886. Highland Park was divided into 124 lots and over the next 50 years 107 cottages were built, 98 of which remain today.
The first cottage, Lach Hame, was built in 1887 at 1404 Lake Avenue and is still occupied today. Highland Park, with all its natural beauty and its architectural quirks, remains a resort today for those who like to savor the ambiance of a bygone era.”

FIRE PREVENTION

Fire prevention is a serious concern in our resort community. 100 cottages were built between 1887 and 1923. Although some of the cottages have been updated, the underlying wood and construction methods are very old.

In addition, the lots are relatively small so the cottages are in close together. Extra fire prevention precautions must be taken to insure that the Highland Park Community can be enjoyed by residents, visitors and rental guests for many years to come. Lightening could ignite a fire in the park but, for the most part, it is up to us to prevent a fire that could be devastating to our unique setting.

Fireworks and open fires are absolutely prohibited.

• Smoking materials and ignition sources must be extinguished in a safe manner, preferably a fire-proof container filled with sand or water.
• Fireplaces and chimneys need to be routinely inspected or should not be used.
• Use of candles and extension cords needs to be minimized or eliminated.
• Carefully watch cooking grills during use.
• A minimum of 50’ of garden hose needs to be connected to an outside spigot at each cottage.
• Fire extinguishers must be readily available and we suggest that one be maintained in the master bedroom.
• Smoke/fire alarms must be present and maintained throughout each cottage.
• Small appliances with automatic shut-off devices are recommended.
• Auxiliary heaters (if present) with built-in safety controls are recommended.
• The location of the fire hydrant nearest to your cottage is important to know.  

DRIVING AND PARKING

Highland Park was platted in 1886 without need to accommodate multiple personal vehicles or modern vehicular traffic. Most of the visitors arrived by horse-drawn carts or an electric trolley. As such, the existing roadways are narrow and the parking spaces scarce Implementation of the “Golden Rule” goes a long way to minimize problems that can arise due to the constraints imposed by the antiquated setting.

Each cottage is assigned two parking spaces. Double parking is not an option at many parking spaces as it blocks access for others. Please do not encroach on or block adjacent parking spaces.

Do not allow vehicles to extend into the roadways. The drives must be accessible for other visitors and emergency vehicles.

Plan ahead if you are expecting guests. Park extra vehicles outside of Highland Park. Overnight parking is allowed on any city street and lots without signs that specifically restrict parking. For example, park on the north side of Lake Avenue.

Slow Down! Hills, curves and the lack of sidewalks mean that the narrow roadways are shared by non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians including children.

TRASH

Highland Park has several dumpsters and containers available for recyclables.

Do not leave trash or recyclables on the ground if the dumpster is full. It is imperative that all of your trash ends up inside a dumpster or recycling container because that is the only way it will be removed.

Furniture, mattresses, construction debris , and yard waste should be hauled away, not put in or around the dumpsters.

NON-OWNER (guests or renters)
OCCUPANCY OF COTTAGES

Owners are responsible for their guests and renters. All non-owner guest arrangements must be made with the understanding that occupants may be ordered to vacate if their conduct is such as to make their presence in The Park undesirable or if they fail to obey Park Rules and Regulations.