Hess-Hathaway in Waterford benefits from trust money

Thanks to monies gifted from the Hess Trust, plans are in the works to improve the Hess-Hathaway Historical Farm House and revise the Hess-Hathaway Park master plan.

The Waterford Township Parks and Recreation Department applied for the funding through the Myrtle E. and William G. Hess Charitable Trust grant program. Earlier this month, the trust donated $10,000 to fund the painting of the farm house and another $17,000 to update the 1987 Hess-Hathaway Park master plan.

“It’s a pleasant surprise in this day and age, especially with all the budget cuts,” said Waterford Director of Parks and Recreation Tom Newcombe.

The dollars were in addition to $10,000 the park previously received for a pair of separate park projects, one of which has been completed — the connection of the park to the township’s water system and some buildings on the property being hooked up to the sewer system at a cost of $2,490.

The second project — the resurfacing and re-striping of the park’s parking lot at an estimated cost of $2,000 — is currently in the bid process.

Newcombe said he hopes to have the parking lot project completed by the end of the year.

“I’ve got to put together the specs for painting the house and get bids for the master park plan yet,” he said. “The painting is needed very badly.”

Located on the Waterford Township side of Williams Lake Road between Elizabeth Lake and Cooley Lake roads, the Hess-Hathaway Park features a playground, a restored farm house from the 1860s, an animal exhibit, a softball field, four horseshoe pits, a pair of sand volleyball courts, and more.

There are also nature trails for hiking, as well as hayrides and farm animal tours by appointment only.