by Laurie and Bob LaZebnik
Bob and I are gravely concerned about the intention of the board of the Clark Lake Community Center. They plan to give the Center away. Their idea is to build a covered structure west of our current building as a venue for larger events. The new structure would be funded by a generous Clark Lake donor. And then the board would sign over ownership of the buildings to Jackson County.
The architecturally significant historic building is on this site thanks to an incredible outpouring of support, sweat equity and in-kind contributions from people around this lake, not from the Jackson County Parks Department. The building that has become the Clark Lake Community Center is here today because we saved it. All of us. And Clark Lakers have continued to make the repairs necessary to keep the old summer cottage in its grand, original state. I suspect we all will continue.
Back in 1996 when Bob and I decided to raze the old Kentucky Homestead and construct our current cottage, the outcry from Clark Lakers was loud. “You can’t destroy that building. It’s the oldest building still standing on this lake. That clapboard-sided building houses the history of one of the first families to settle on Clark Lake. It holds the lore of servants sleeping in the attic and ghosts rattling around on the second floor. It is a rare example of turn-of-the last century architecture. That building marks the beginning of Clark Lake changing from a rural agricultural-horse and buggy community to an active recreational lake with big bands, row boats and summer theatre. The movement to Clark Lake at the time the Kentucky Homestead was built was driven by the Cincinnati Northern railroad dropping passengers at the village end of the lake and steamboats delivering families to their summer get-a-ways up and down the shore.”
Bob and I heard from generations of families who have lived and still live at this lake. They wanted to preserve this old building because it represents memories of generations friends and families who were part of a community here at this lake. Some partied with the Graziani family who built the Homestead in 1895, or someone’s grandpa slept there when it was the Clark Lake Yacht Club. Holding on to those memories brought this community together to fund the floating of the building across the lake and turning it into a place where we can all hold family weddings, birthday parties and rites of passage ceremonies. Clark Lakers want their kids and grandkids to know their roots. Bob and I heard your screaming. We cancelled the demolition crew. We donated our cottage to preserve it and the communal history it represents.
A $100,000 donation was the seed for the planned 40’ by 42’ pavilion. Location would be between the west side of the Center and the adjacent neighborhood. The covered structure would accommodate 100 to 150 people in addition to the current building capacity of 25.
Approximate setting for pavilion location
To be sure the extra income from raising rates from the current $300 for an event would help maintain the Center, but has the board considered the ensuing issues? Will bands and party revelers, that could go into the night, be tolerated by adjacent neighbors? Has the board thought about the additional traffic and parking for 150 at the already busy Beach Bar end of the lake? The proposed open, pole barn structure does nothing to embellish the old treasure next to it, the building that the U.S. Department of Interior sited as a rare example of architecture from a time and place in the history of Clark Lake, Michigan, a building important enough to list as a National Historic Site.
The board plans to give the buildings to a government entity. Ownership makes a big difference. Jackson County Park administrators may give the board a nod today, tell them all is well and we can continue to rent the facility and pay for upkeep on the building. But administrators change. The Jackson County Parks will have its own agenda, and it may not continue to be ours. The board’s plan doesn’t make sense to me.
We urge board members of the Clark Lake Community Center to reconsider these plans.
Bob and Laurie LaZebnik
Editor’s note: Here are earlier postings about this topic.
Community Center board responds
Flip Reynolds responds the news of the Community Centers plans
First news story regarding Community Centers plan to build a pavilion and turn over ownership of it and the house to the County
Thank You . No truer words could be said.
Flip
Thank you, Laurie and Bob for sticking up for Clark Lake and the people who live here.
Exactly! I agree. Ocean Beach is a race track anytime. This will just add to it. I’m sure the neighbors won’t like it either.
Very good response. Mr. McKay on another post brought up the viability of transparency of the Foundation’s Finances [please see editor’s note below] so that everyone knows what they have to deal with. I would encourage such display. I value and realize the historical significance of Clark Lake’s history and the past actions to preserve it. I don’t believe using the County taxpayers millage money as seed money for such a business plan is justified. I would have hoped that an operations analysis would have been completed to see the number of events needed to justify such a working agreement. There are only so many weekends for weddings and similar events to plan for. Furthermore it would be interesting in seeing the past bookings of nearby private venues (at least three) have fared while also taking into consideration there were/are at least two other property owners considering this type of venue. And finally to have the County responsible for the maintenance (i.e. cleanup after the venues) is questionable.
Editor’s note: The Clark Lake Spirit Foundation that publishes this website is separate from the Clark Lake Community Center.
You are absolutely correct. There’s no parking here on this side of the lake. People block mail boxes along ocean beach now. And if you think Jackson county will pick up after the parties think again because my neighbor and I pick up trash after busy weekends in the park. I hope Jackson county does not take over the community center.
Having sat on numerous boards and commissions I fully understand the responsibilities one has. This comment and those I previously made are in no way meant to be critical of the Center Board. But, it is quite clear from Mr. and Mrs. LaZebnik’s comments above and the vast majority of the comments submitted to the article on Flip Reynold’s Letter there is strong Clark Lake Community sentiment to keep on an independent course and not turn the Center over to the County. I second the LaZebnik’s suggestion for reconsideration.
Why not use 100,000 to buy from county then look to the future with beach bar and new owners at the point On water also boat club this lake is not getting bigger your asking for future problems in politics on building use trouble will come I’m new from Detroit suburbs been coming out here for 30 years
Were people given time and notice to discuss this matter? Who came up with the idea and whose says that the idea matters? Seems like more board over reach without consulting the community.
Thank you Laurie and Bob, as well as all of the others who have expressed similar thoughts and views.
I firmly believe the majority(silent majority) of Clark Lakers share these sentiments.
Why should a small minority have the authority to overrule all of this.
A real shame should it occur.
MikeLigibel
Let me add my voice, first, of thanks to the LaZebniks for their initial contribution to the Clark Lake Community, and second, my agreement with their position on the issue.
Agreed on both points. Thank you.
I’m one of those neighbors that would be affected by this grand idea of building a new structure onto or adjacent to the Community Center. As I posted before, who is going to Olive the parties and events in the new pavilion? Jackson County? Columbia Township? But what. Really want to know is who is this benefactor and is it him/her that wants to turn it over to the county and why? Something isn’t right about this scenario. Furthermore, my vote for funds to be provided to parks was in part to build launching points on lake parks for kayaks and canoes and improve park equipment. One Jackson County Park was donated funds to replace aging park equipment that children played on and the county matched funds. Why isn’t the Clark Lake philanthropist thinking of those kinds of changes? Why insist on creating a business venture that will detract from Park and Community Center purposes?
I’m so glad Flip wrote on November 15. I also appreciated LaZebnik’s response.
These letters brought me back to the history of the early days of Clark Lake and the importance to maintain community ownership of the Clark Lake Community Center.
1896-1986
Judge Graziani from Kentucky purchases property on Clark Lake, builds a summer home and another five other cottages for his family. As time goes on, some properties are sold but the Homestead is kept in family hands yet used less often and even rented out at times. The family keeps ownership but does little to maintain it and they decide to sell it, as is.
1996
The owners of the Kentucky Homestead offer the house to the Clark Lake community. The Clark Lake Historical District Committee, Inc., is established and the community comes together to save the historic structure. The project requires much planning, many meetings, a lot of paperwork, as well as financial support. The structure is stabilized, “floated” and resettled from the Kentucky Point to a piece of land at the Jackson County Park on the northeast corner of the lake.
1997
The Kentucky Homestead is restored and commences functioning as The Clark Lake Community Center, an entity of the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation. It is a meeting place, an event venue and beautiful reminder of an earlier era as it sits on the hill overlooking the lake as its protector.
2010s
The operational board of the Clark Lake Community Center chooses to separate from the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation. More recently, rumors begin, news reports surface and emotions arise about the plans to make changes by building an addition and giving ownership of the Clark Lake Community Center to the County of Jackson.
Questions:
Why did the Clark Lake Community Center board choose to separate from the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation?
When was the Clark Lake community informed of Clark Lake Community Center financial issues?
How can the Clark Lake community help without involving Jackson County/the government?
The Bullinger Family
Blue Grass Cottage/Graziani property
On Kentucky Ave
Since 1942
Having Clarklake in my life for over 50 years I have loved every minute of it. The sense of community and close friends and neighbors has always been important to me. I support keeping the Community Center as part of this Clarklake Community. I have observed the Jackson County Park for those 50
years. It hasn’t changed much. That being said I don’t think, Jackson County will maintain the spirit of the COMMUNITY Center. I also feel that a government entity should not become involved in the private enterprise of hosting weddings, reunions etc. Please keep the Center in the Clarklake
Communitys hands.
I read with interest the recent letters from Flip Reynolds and Laurie and Bob LaZebnik regarding the Clark Lake Community Center, (the old Solar House). My family has been a part of the Clark Lake Community for 4 generations beginning with my grandparents Herman and Josephine Melling and my parents Jean Melling Kopplin and John Kopplin who purchased the Wilson Cottage on Kentucky Ave next to the Solar Cottage in 1967. Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Solar were Graziani sisters. My brother John and wife Lori Kopplin along with daughters Jennifer and Allison built a home on the extra lot that went with our 1893 cottage. My brother Tom Kopplin and wife Debbie and boys have been members of the Beach and Boat Club for many years. As a family, we have all enjoyed the lake and have used the Center on several occasions for family celebrations and would like to be assured that that tradition will continue in the future. I recently visited the Community Center with John. He wanted to show me the refurbished antique table that he and Lori donated to the Center. It originally came from our cottage on Kentucky Ave and is a nice addition to the Center. Next to it is another beautiful antique table that Flip Reynolds and family donated recently from his family’s Clark Lake cottage.
Even though I do not live in the area anymore, Clark Lake has been a part of my life for over 50 years and I visit every year. I agree w/Flip and the LaZebniks, I urge the Board Members of the Clark Lake Community Center to reconsider the plans to turn over owner of the Center to the County.
What about a long term lease that would define responsibilities for the long term maintenance and preservation of this architecturally significant Historic Cottage.? And could a Friends of the Community Center Group be organized to raise funds through memberships to the Center for repairs and maintenance? As the LaZebniks mentioned, what about a National Historic Site designation either State or Federal or both?
The Clark Lake Community has put so much heart and soul and monetary donations into preserving this grand old summer cottage and our lake history, it would be a tremendous loss if it can’t be preserved appropriately for all of us and our future generations to enjoy.