Mears State Park is a 50-acre public recreation area in Pentwater on the channel between Lake Michigan and Pentwater Lake, where beach, dune, harbor, and open water converge. Established in 1920 as one of Michigan’s first 13 state parks, it grew from 16 sandy acres donated by Carrie Mears from land once owned by lumberman Charles Mears. Its loose sand shaped its development: after grading in 1921 disturbed stabilizing vegetation, wind erosion threatened nearby homes until marsh hay was spread to hold the dune. The park now offers fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, a trail up Old Baldy, and the historic Pentwater North Pierhead Light.