Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve in southeastern Michigan, about five miles west of Manchester, unites recreation and land preservation across one thousand one hundred twenty-two acres in Jackson and Washtenaw counties. Created through land purchases in 2015 and 2016 and dedicated in 2017, it brought together former private property under joint management by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Washtenaw County. Its name honors Royal and Sally Carpenter Watkins, early settlers who farmed here and participated in the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. A five-mile former rail corridor crossing the property helps shape the landscape, which now serves as protected open space and public outdoor land.