Chautauqua Park is a vast and scenic site characterized by its riverside trails and various bridges. Its leafy grounds cover 26.5 acres (10.7 hectares) of the city center. When you visit Chautauqua Park, bring snacks and drinks so you can enjoy a full day in this picturesque setting.
Stroll along the Vermillion River and enjoy the spectacular views of the greenery bordering it in spring and summer. Wander across the Pontiac bridge that leads into the park. It’s one of three Pontiac bridges that have been damaged many times by floods, but are always rebuilt by the city. Cross the one leading into Play Park. It is the oldest of the three and dates back to 1898. You’ll see Play Park has a boat ramp on the river as well as a baseball field and a playground.
Back in Chautauqua Park, let your kids run wild in the playground, where there are colorful slides and climbing frames.
Spend some time at the Riverview Disc Golf Course, whose circuits extend into the adjacent Play Park. Disc golf is a game that follows the rules of traditional golf, but with discs that you throw through the air instead of balls.
On summer nights, watch an open-air performance courtesy of the Vermillion Players. The amateur acting troupe puts on performances ranging from comedy and farce to melodrama and musicals.
Note that you can rent both of the park’s two pavilions for personal gatherings and events.
Chautauqua Park covers a large portion of the southeastern corner of Pontiac. It lies in a swooping bend of the Vermillion River, across the water from the Southside Cemetery. Visit other nearby landmarks, such as the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum, the Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum and the Welcome to Downtown Pontiac Sign.
