A Cultural Capital

In Midland, outstanding cultural opportunities range from music and theater to science and the arts. The Midland Center for the Arts delivers outstanding hands-on exhibits in science, art and technology. The Center provides two state-of-the-art auditoriums for audiences of 400 to 1500 to enjoy everything from the Midland Symphony and Theatre Guild to world-class orchestras and dance companies.

Midland City parks number over 80 with over 3,000 acres of park land. Small neighborhood parks nestled within residential areas are found throughout the city, providing each neighborhood with a place to recreate. While neighborhood parks are just right for small gatherings, larger groups will enjoy the amenities of two of Midland’s largest parks, Emerson and Plymouth. These parks feature large sheltered picnic areas, playgrounds, a pool and a major softball complex.

Skaters of all skill levels will enjoy Midland’s new 107,000-square-foot Civic Arena, which boasts two NHL-sized rinks and one Olympic-sized rink. And bicycle motocross enthusiasts can enjoy a new BMX track in Midland, located in Midland’s growing Downtown area. Winner of a 2005 Michigan Cool Cities grant (a grass-roots, volunteer-based training program to revitalize a downtown area), Downtown Midland offers dining, shopping and entertainment for the whole family.

Walkers and joggers can use the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, a ribbon of asphalt stretching 30 miles to the neighboring city of Clare. Midland County’s system of natural pathways continues to expand, with the recent addition of the Chippewa Nature Trail, which connects to the Pere Marquette trail. The Chippewa Trail ends at the Chippewa Nature Center and their facilities of over 1,000 acres of deciduous and coniferous woods, rivers, ponds, wetlands (marsh, fen, bog, and swamp) and upland fields.

Also in the recreation mix are two golf courses, the Midland Community Center (with multiple swimming pools and exercise facilities), the West Midland Family Center, the North Midland Family Center, the Midland Gymnastics Center, the Midland Community Tennis Center and the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. In addition, Midland is the home of Hangtime Sports, an 89,900-square-foot facility with eight indoor courts.

Nature is found in abundance at Midland’s Dow Gardens. The 100-acre garden and arboretum was the original gardens of the Herbert H. Dow homestead and is open for tours. In addition, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio offers tours of this landmark American architect’s unique and influential style.

More than 100 places of worship county-wide represent most denominations and a variety of architectural styles. And when it comes to rolling up your sleeves to help out those in need, Midland County rises to the occasion. Midland’s Volunteer Center recruits upwards of 2,000 volunteers each year, and the United Way of Midland County supports 25 community organizations.