at Gale's Pond
General Information
Gale's Pond 
Gale's Pond is four miles southeast of Hart. There is a nature trail of about a half-mile that encircles the pond. This park is a small treasure with quality plant material along the trail, good birdwatching, and a picnic area.
The pond was originally created to power a small mill which made shingles and broomsticks. A blacksmith shop was also located here and the area was served by a railroad. In 1939, Del Gale donated the property to Oceana County for a park. The WPA developed the area for that purpose, and more recently Michigan Recreation Trust Funds made the boardwalk at the south end of the pond possible.
Hiking
Nature Loop
Description is counter-clockwise, beginning at the parking area. Leave the small parking area to the south on boardwalk which descends gently to lake level. There the boardwalk turns east and crosses a cattail marsh and two inlet streams at the south end of the pond. Once across, the boardwalk ends and the trail turns north along the east shore.
Continue on natural surface to the north end of the pond. Cross a plank bridge over another inlet creek. This area is sometimes muddy and the west end of the bridge may be very wet. Continue on natural surface, turning west, until reaching another boardwalk that spans a wetland area. Trail climbs slightly to higher ground and reaches Fillmore Road.
Cross Fillmore Road at an angle and continue on private property in the woods turning south again. Please remain on the trail. Cross Halftile Creek on a wooden bridge- be sure to look upstream and see the water coming over the dam. The trail soon exits the woods, and continues across a mowed area beside a house. Cross Fillmore Road again and return to parking area.
Access- loop trail goes through the parking area- boardwalk to the south, or cross Fillmore Road to the west and look for green Nature Trail sign
Distance and time- about 0.5 mile
Trail Markers- none, but trail is easily seen
Treadway- natural surface or boardwalk
Grades- one gradual ramp, and one very slight climb, otherwise flat
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- August 2019
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Picnicking
Picnicking- There is one grill and several picnic tables near the parking area. One more table is located on the other side of Fillmore Road.
Fishing
Fishing- You could fish Gale's pond in a small boat (not good access) or from the shore. Possibly you could fish from the former road bridge above the dam. No information on what kind of fish may be present.
Boat Launch
Boat Launch- There is a small dirt area that slopes moderately steeply into the pond. It would be possible to hand carry a canoe or small rowboat down to the water, but there is no vehicle access boat ramp.
Interpretive Signs
Interpretive Signs- There are 21 numbered posts which mark various plants and trees. Oceana County is revising the brochure to explain these locations. Hopefully, it will be available soon.
Handicap Accessibility
Handicap Accessibility- The boardwalk and seating area at the south end of the pond is accessible. The road bridge over Halftile Creek is accessible. The porta-potty is accessible
Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Rest Rooms- porta potty
Potable Water- none
Details
Access- via dirt Fillmore Road from the west to parking area.
Restrictions- no camping, no overnight parking, note that private property is very near- be careful to not trespass
Seasonality- open all year, but parking and trail may not be accessible in winter
Ecosystem- man-made inland pond, cattail marsh, stream edges, bottomland hardwood swamp- somewhat unusual that there are three small inlet creeks for this tiny pond, and one outlet- the location where this pond was created was originally chosen with care.
Other points of interest- Doolittle Memorial Park offers another short hike possibility
most recent date this info personally checked- August 2019
Additional Facilities- none
Maintained by- Oceana County
P.O. Box 31
Hart, MI 49420
Phone 231-873-4835
More- Oceana County Parks
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![[Counties]](oceanapix/locgalespond.gif)
