About Kids Creek

History

The southwestern most downtown neighborhood, Kids Creek is highlighted by it's namesake, a charming spring creek that writhes it's way through marshes, fields, forest and neighborhoods on its way to The Boardman River and eventually Grand Traverse Bay.  Kid's Creek wasn't always the name of this slinky little waterway.  Trout Creek, Hospital Grounds, Hospital Creek and, more darkly, Asylum Creek were all previous nomers that fell by the wayside.  Well known author, Jerry Dennis, in his book, A Place on the Water, recounts fishing in the creek within the buffalo fields as a child catching trout from under the banks.  Near that site, there is now a public fishing access with boardwalks along the creek and ponds where kids can still go to try their luck.   

"Asylum Creek" was the monaker given to the creek thanks to the mental hospital opened in 1885 under the direction of Dr. James Decker Munson.  Long before the advent of drug therapy in the 1950s, Munson was a firm believer in the "beauty is therapy" philosophy. Patients were treated through kindness, comfort,pleasure, and beautiful flowers provided year-round by the asylum's own greenhouses and the variety of trees Munson planted on the grounds. Restraints, such as the straitjacket, were forbidden. Also, as part of the "work is therapy" philosophy, the asylum provided opportunities for patients to gain a sense of purpose through farming, furniture construction, fruit canning, and other trades that kept the institution fully self-sufficient. The asylum farm began in 1885 with the purchase of some milk cows and within a decade grew to include pigs, chickens, milk and meat cows, and many vegetable fields.  Changes in mental health care philosophy and regulations brought about drastic change beginning with the closing of the farm in the 1950's.  Many of the buildings were demolished during the 1960's and 1970's due to safety issues and the use of the hospital itself slowly declined and was finally closed in 1989.  Munson Medical Center was founded just north of the old mental hospital in 1950 and remains among the areas largest employers and is routinely ranked among the nations finest hospitals.

Geography

By most accounts, Kids Creek neighborhood extends from Front Street on the northern boundary to Division Street (US 31) along the east down to Fourteenth Street along the southern boundary and west to the steep ridges that frame Traverse City itself.  The northwest end of the neighborhood is home to Munson Medical Center and the numerous medical office buildings that support its operations.  Most of the single family homes are in the northeast corner of the neighborhood between Division and Elmwood and from Front to Seventh Street.  The Grand Traverse Commons, a redevelopment of the old mental hospital buildings and grounds, in the southern portion of the neighborhood is home to an array of very unique residential condominiums that range from quaint to spectacular.

Features

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is the focal point of the southern end of the neighborhood.  Their website says it best.  "The Minervini Group welcomes you to The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, where one of the largest, historic preservation and adaptive reuse redevelopments in the country is underway. A beautiful solution to urban sprawl, The Village is the unique renovation of dozens of historic buildings formerly known as the Traverse City State Hospital, and previously, the Northern Michigan Asylum. The auspicious location of this 63-acre site, centered in one of the Midwest’s most desirable locations, underscores the unparalleled beauty of magnificent, century-old Victorian-Italianate architecture."

It's a terrific spot to visit for a spectacular meal at Trattoria Stella, a glass of wine or hard cider at Left Foot Charley, some of the best bread you'll ever try at Pleasanton Bakery or even a fantastic tomale at Spanglish.  Other amenities like a full service spa, fantastic shopping and more make this a terrific area to visit while you're in town or to call your own home.  The hills above The Commons are laced with wonderful hiking trails that are ideal for showshoeing in the winter as well.  Close proximity to downtown proper as well as big box stores and The Grand Traverse Mall make Kid's Creek a great option.