Richardi Park
Bellaire, Michigan · on Intermediate River · Richardi Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Spring
About Richardi Park
Richardi Park is an 8-acre village-owned park in Bellaire, Michigan (Antrim County seat), on the Intermediate River just north of downtown and immediately upstream of the village dam. The Village of Bellaire's site and the Michigan Water Trails program both document a designated swimming beach at this in-town river swimming hole, alongside a carry-in kayak/canoe launch that serves as a trailhead on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail/Paddle Antrim route, plus tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, and rentable pavilions. The parcel was previously the site of a 19th-century sawmill and woodenware company before becoming a park; a 2023 Village-adopted 'Richardi Park Reimagining' plan lays out a 20-year renovation of the grounds, including the beach and sport courts.
The park occupies 8 acres directly on the Intermediate River within the small village of Bellaire in Antrim County, bordered by North Bridge Street/M-88 and positioned north of/immediately upstream of the Bellaire village dam (the stretch south of the dam is instead accessed via a separate Ohio/River Street boat launch, per the village site). In the late 1800s the parcel was the site of a sawmill and woodenware company before it became a park; it now sits on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, within walking distance of downtown Bellaire's restaurants and shops.
Swimming at Richardi Park
The village-designated swimming beach is a small sand beach on the riverbank, sharing the site with a carry-in kayak/canoe launch that also serves as a Chain of Lakes Water Trail/Paddle Antrim trailhead. Official listings show it operating seasonally (roughly May-September) with no admission fee. Aggregated visitor reviews describe it as suited to young children (about ages 2-10) for short visits, but a 2022-23 Village community survey recorded repeated complaints that the beach/sand was dirty or overgrown with grass ('beach at the park is pretty gross, would never let my kids swim here'; 'we like the beach but it is often dirty'), and one comment urged the Village to 'hire a lifeguard,' implying none is stationed there. No first-hand reports of water depth or clarity were found in this pass.
How to get to this swimming hole
Richardi Park is at 402 N Bridge St (also listed as 100 E. Antrim St.), Bellaire, MI 49615, on the Intermediate River just north of downtown Bellaire, bordered by North Bridge Street/M-88. On-site parking is in a lot off E. Antrim Street.
Parking: On-site parking lot off E. Antrim Street; one recent visitor described it as easy to find with ample space. The Village's 2023 park design plan proposes expanding/reconfiguring this lot with drop-off and trailer pull-through spots as part of the long-term renovation.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up park: the swimming beach and carry-in kayak launch sit directly adjacent to the free on-site parking lot off E. Antrim Street, a walk of well under a minute/a few dozen yards. The park also has about 1.5 miles of paved, wheelchair-accessible internal trail (per one recent visitor) for strolling the grounds, but none of it needs to be walked to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Visitors describe the shallow sand beach as well-suited to young children (ages ~2-10) for short, slow-paced visits, but no lifeguard is confirmed on duty, the Village's own 2022-23 community survey recorded visitor requests to 'hire a lifeguard,' and at least one visitor called the park 'borderline dangerous for kids' amid broader complaints that facilities haven't been updated in ~20 years. Supervise closely.
Parking
Free
Free on-site parking lot off E. Antrim Street, immediately next to the beach/kayak launch. Visitors repeatedly describe it as 'ample' and easy to find. The Village's 2023 Park Design Plan proposes reconfiguring/expanding this lot with drop-off and trailer pull-through spots as part of a long-term renovation, implying no trailer-capable ramp exists today.
Restrooms
Yes
Seasonal flush-toilet restrooms on-site, per Michigan Water Trails and a recent firsthand visitor report. One visitor called the bathrooms clean but noted the Ladies' room was missing its sign, with the Men's room at the other end of the building.
Hours
Sources disagree slightly: Michigan Water Trails lists seasonal (roughly May-Sept) hours of 8 AM-10 PM for the beach/launch area, while Wanderlog (aggregating Google data) lists park hours as 5 AM-11 PM daily.
On the water
Restrictions: Carry-in access only, the Village's Park Design Plan and Michigan Water Trails both describe a carry-in (not trailer) launch immediately upstream of the Bellaire village dam, so no motorized trailer boats are launched from this spot. The 2023 Park Design Plan proposes adding trailer pull-through parking in a future renovation phase, implying that capability doesn't exist yet.
The launch is an official Chain of Lakes Water Trail / Paddle Antrim trailhead, used for paddling trips upstream: about 1.5 miles one-way to Intermediate Lake, or 3.3 miles to the Openo DNR access (per Michigan Water Trails' trail description, already noted in the prior dossier). No motorboat or jet-ski use at this launch is documented.
Rentals nearby
Kayak and paddleboard sales, rentals, and accessories
206 N Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615, a few blocks from Richardi Park, within walking distance of downtown
Kayak and paddleboard sales, rentals, and accessories
115 W. Cayuga Street, Bellaire, MI 49615, in downtown Bellaire, close to the park
Stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals (tandem kayak option available per site), alongside jet ski and boat rentals
Prices: Paddleboards ~$40-$50 for 2 hours; kayaks ~$60 for 4 hours (per business website)
6235 Crystal Springs Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615, serves the east shore of Torch Lake (a different, larger lake than the Intermediate River, a short drive from Richardi Park), also covering Alden, Rapid City, and Elk Rapids · Summer: daily 9 AM-9 PM
What regulars say
Visitors describe Richardi Park as a good slow-paced stop for young kids (ages ~2-10), praising the small wooden train play feature, and calling the restrooms clean albeit with a missing sign on the Ladies' room door. Parking was repeatedly described as 'ample.' On the negative side, multiple visitors say the park 'hasn't been updated in 20 years' and one called it 'borderline dangerous for kids,' echoing the Village's own 2022-23 survey complaints about a dirty/overgrown beach and no lifeguard.
Backstory
In the late 1800s the parcel that is now Richardi Park was the site of a sawmill and woodenware company; it has since been a village park for decades. In 2023 the Village of Bellaire, with a financial gift from Forest Home Township, adopted a 'Richardi Park Reimagining' Park Design Plan following a community survey and open house, laying out a 20-year phased renovation of the park's beach, sport courts, playground, and river access, and proposing a new memorial garden to relocate the park's existing monuments and historical plaques.
Richardi Park: FAQ
Does Richardi Park charge a fee?
No admission or day-use fee was found for the park, beach, or boat launch. The Village charges a rental fee/deposit (via a reservation form submitted to the Village office) only for use of the pavilion or gazebo.
Is Richardi Park kid friendly?
Visitors describe the shallow sand beach as well-suited to young children (ages ~2-10) for short, slow-paced visits, but no lifeguard is confirmed on duty, the Village's own 2022-23 community survey recorded visitor requests to 'hire a lifeguard,' and at least one visitor called the park 'borderline dangerous for kids' amid broader complaints that facilities haven't been updated in ~20 years. Supervise closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Richardi Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Richardi Park?
Free on-site parking lot off E. Antrim Street, immediately next to the beach/kayak launch. Visitors repeatedly describe it as 'ample' and easy to find. The Village's 2023 Park Design Plan proposes reconfiguring/expanding this lot with drop-off and trailer pull-through spots as part of a long-term renovation, implying no trailer-capable ramp exists today.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Richardi Park?
The launch is an official Chain of Lakes Water Trail / Paddle Antrim trailhead, used for paddling trips upstream: about 1.5 miles one-way to Intermediate Lake, or 3.3 miles to the Openo DNR access (per Michigan Water Trails' trail description, already noted in the prior dossier). No motorboat or jet-ski use at this launch is documented.
When is the best time to visit Richardi Park?
The beach, restrooms, potable water, and kayak/canoe launch are listed as available seasonally, spring through fall (roughly May-September). One recent visitor recommended late June for mild, dry-trail conditions, and another suggested fall for foliage.
What are the rules at Richardi Park?
Michigan Water Trails lists site hours as 8 AM-10 PM during its seasonal (May-Sept.) operation; other listings instead give park hours as 5 AM-11 PM daily, so posted hours may vary by source. Pavilion/gazebo use requires a reservation form and deposit submitted to the Village of Bellaire offices (231-533-8213). Visitors note a posted sign at the park prohibiting jumping from the adjacent North Bridge Street/M-88 bridge.
What water body is Richardi Park on?
Richardi Park is on Intermediate River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
