Parks & Cemetery

The Parks and Cemetery Division is the crew assigned the task of maintaining properties and their amenities which include restrooms, playground equipment, interactive and ornamental fountains, ball fields and courts, trails, picnic tables, swings, benches, picnic pavilions, flowers and landscaping beds and a community band amphitheater.

Director of Public Works: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Phone: (269) 983-6341
Cemetery: (269) 983-6325 (Riverview Cemetery)
Address: 1160 Broad Street (physical address for shipments, etc.); Mailing address: 700 Broad Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085
Hours: 7:30 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays.

AFTER HOUR EMERGENCY? PLEASE CALL (269) 983-2571

Effective in the fall of 2015, the Department of Public Works was divided into two major components: One component, which includes Parks/Grounds/Marina/Ice Rink/Fountain, is overseen by the Assistant Director of Public Works. The second component, Streets/Sewer/Water is overseen by the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Both departments and their team members are proud to deliver many of the essential services residents and visitors depend on and enjoy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

PARKS

The City of St. Joseph has begun to implement the 2021-2025 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.  The three parks initially being looked at include Dickinson Park, Whirlpool Centennial Park, and Riverview Park.  To view the preliminary plans, click on the name of the park.

The City of St. Joseph is fortunate to have 17 designated park and beach properties encompassing approximately 200 plus acres available to the public to enjoy.

The Parks & Cemetery Division is the crew assigned the task of maintaining these properties and their amenities which include restrooms, playground equipment, interactive and ornamental fountains, ball fields and courts, trails, picnic tables, swings, benches, picnic pavilions, flowers and landscaping beds and a community band amphitheater.

Please click here if you are interested in reserving a picnic pavilion or athletic field.  If you are interested in purchasing an annual parking pass, you may do so at the kiosks in the parks or at City Hall. 

CEMETERY

The Parks & Cemetery Division is responsible for the management and the general care of the City Cemetery property grounds. In addition to routine property maintenance, the employees also are responsible for lot and columbarium sales and internments in the cemetery.

FORESTRY

The Parks & Cemetery Division is responsible for the management of the City of St. Joseph street right-of-way (ROW) and public property tree population. Primary responsibilities include the removal of trees that pose a risk to people or personal property, the pruning of trees to promote aesthetics or eliminate conflicts with cars, people, signs or utilities and the planting of young trees to replace those that were in need of removal.

No work may be performed on a City tree without the prior consent of the Department of Public Works by a resident or a contractor. Residents that would like to request either a removal, trimming or planting of a tree are requested to contact the City at 983-6341.

FACILITY MAINTENANCE

The Parks & Cemetery Division is responsible for the general care and maintenance of many of the City-owned buildings and their associated landscaping.

SEASONAL DECORATIONS AND BANNERS

The Parks & Cemetery Division crew is responsible for all of the seasonal decorations placed throughout the City throughout the year. The major project performed each year is the placement and removal of all the Christmas decorations on the bluff. With good weather, it typically takes the staff 30 days to get everything erected, secured and wired so that the display is ready to go for the tree lighting ceremony the first Friday in December.

In addition to all the Christmas decorations, the staff also hangs all of the seasonal and special event banners along Main Streets.

STREET LIGHTS

The City is responsible for the care and maintenance of the ornamental street lights in the downtown, the parks, on City property and in several neighborhoods. If you notice a street light that is out or needs attention please contact the City at 983-6341 to report it.

Invasive Plant Survey and Assessment 3-10-2014

The City Commission asked for a survey and assessment to be completed as it relates to invasive plants within the City of St. Joseph.

Such report was given at their City Commission meeting Monday evening,  March 24th, by Randy Counterman, Owner/Operator of Native Landscapes, LLC.  To view or download this report, please click here.