Gerrish Township

Gerrish Township General Offices are closed on Friday June 19, 2026 in observance of the Juneteenth Freedom Day Holiday. Gerrish Township Public Safety services of Police/Fire/EMS are available for non-emergencies at 989-275-0911 and for emergencies at 911.

Gerrish Township Position Open for Full Time Receptionist

Gerrish Township Regular Monthly Board meeting to be held Tuesday, 6/9/26 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Gerrish Township Municipal Center. Agenda:https://gerrishtownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/June-2026-Regular-Board-Meeting-1.pdf

Great historical piece by the HLF.

If you’ve ever spent a delicious summer afternoon anchored at the Sunken Island, you might think it’s pretty darn good: a shallow, walkable oasis of sand and smooth glacial stones, surrounded by deep, clear blue water…Zzzzz.
BUT, have you ever wondered why the Sunken Island is there? How does a shallow island just 'exist' in the South Basin?

History lesson: back to the Ice Age we go!

Higgins Lake was carved out during the last Ice Age by massive, retreating glaciers which were over a mile deep. As these giant sheets of ice melted and shifted, they didn't just dig a uniform bowl - they scoured the bedrock unevenly, creating complex underwater topography!
* The Deep Basins: The glaciers gouged out two massive, deep pockets (our North Basin, dropping down to 135 feet, and our South Basin, dropping to around 100 feet).
* The ‘Sunken Island’: The Sunken Island is actually a glacial moraine ridge—a high point where the moving ice deposited a massive pile of compressed gravel, sand, and heavy boulders before melting away.
Over the millennia, as the land rebounded from losing the crushing weight of the ice, the lake levels shifted. Thousands of years ago, Higgins Lake was actually much higher than it is today. As water levels naturally fell and stabilized into the lake we know today, that underwater glacial ridge remained just a few feet below the surface!

Camping Permits - Ordinance # #

Just a reminder that Camping Permits are required for any residential or commercial zoned properties in Gerrish Township according to Gerrish Township Camping Ordinance # # .
Permits are $2.00 each and are available at the Gerrish Township Police Department Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. You can request a permit by e-mail by contacting Julie at [email protected] or by phone at (989) 821-5207 Ext. 291. We now can accept debit/credit card payments.
For more information or to obtain a complete copy of the Camping Ordinance, scan the QR code in the photo or visit our website page at www.gerrishpolice.org/ordinances/residential-camping-ordinance/

Gerrish Township has scheduled a work session on Thursday, June 4, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m. at the
Municipal Center. Agenda:https://gerrishtownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GT-Work-Session-6.4.26.pdf

Looking for a way to get involved in our community? 🌳
The Gerrish Township Parks & Recreation Committee is looking for one more volunteer to join our group!
What we do:
• Meet once a month (May–October) at the Township Office
• Share ideas and give input on park improvements and projects
• Make recommendations to the Township Board
• Occasionally help out with hands-on park projects
You must be a Gerrish Township property owner (you don’t have to live here full-time).
It’s a great way to help keep our parks looking their best and be part of any improvements!
Interested or have questions? Stop by the Township Office to learn more about next steps.

Gerrish Township is hosting a Planning Committee Meeting on May 28, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. Agenda:https://gerrishtownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/05-28-26-Agenda.pdf

Gerrish Township General Offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day 2026, Monday May 25, 2026. Gerrish Township Police/Fire/EMS can be contacted for non-emergencies at 989-275-0911 or in emergencies, 911. We will re-open on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 for regular business hours at 8:00 a.m.