In December, members of the TARP committee and other project stakeholders met at the Weldon Township Hall to view preliminary plans for an attractive and historically compelling people-place destination at the Thompsonville Diamond Crossing location.

Tim Knutsen of design firm Beckett & Raeder presents plans to TARP members and other stakeholders in December’s meeting.
The site plans (see illustration below) highlight the following significant features of the new park:
Entry Plaza (approx. 1,375 sq ft) The brick paved Entry Plaza will feature the Michigan Historic Site landmark with interpretive signage and benches.
Caboose Plaza (approx. 1,900 sq ft) Adjacent to the Entry Plaza will be the brick paved Caboose Plaza. The caboose will be moved to the new position so it will enhance the sight-line and increase the visibility of the park. Brick pavers with replica inset rails will lead visitors from the caboose to the original Diamond Crossing tracks which will also be set in pavers.
Visitor Center (2,000 sq ft) with connected Pavilion (1,000 sq-ft) Visitors will stroll along both the ‘brick rails’ and as well as a paved section of the Betsie Valley Trail to enter the Visitor Center and Pavilion with picnic tables. The building design and the entire park will draw from a typical historic railroad depot look and feel.
Pedestrian lights throughout the park will utilize an antique depot shepherd’s hook design. Additional construction and interpretive signage will commemorate other historic features like the signal house and the depot foundations.
Click here or the image below to view a large PDF version of the site plan.
We are actively raising funds to make this community revitalization project a reality.
Please ‘Get on Board!’ and support this effort by donating today!
Click here to open our check donation form. Please send your donation to:
Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project
c/o Friends of the Betsie Valley District Library
P.O. Box 12
Thompsonville, MI 49683