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From the moment that I stepped out of the car I detected an overwhelming smell of nature in the air. Fallen leaves, sod and even the dew on the grass contributed to the feeling of this autumn season. Looking around Hoyt Park, I realize it is a huge place with much to do in any season. It is more than just an invigorating park, however, because it also has a link to the past, to the influential lumber barons who still play an important role on our lives today.

In the late 1880s, the death of lumber baron Jesse Hoyt left the city of Saginaw with a part of the old James Riley reserve, but they did not do much with it until ten years later. Hoyt Park was opened in 1894 and has been improved over the years to become the focal point of the city's park system. Hoyt Park was a "public playground" to be used by everyone all year around. By 1904 the lowland swamps were drained and filled for summer baseball use and winter skating.

When standing on the top of the hill that overlooks the mysterious fog lingering below, in the park, an enormous football and baseball field can be seen. Around the flat land area there are large beautiful trees with more colors than a rainbow. A gentle breeze releases a few leaves from the trees as they float slowly and softly to the ground. Joggers make their way around the park on one of the many paths that weave in and out of the forest.

As I gaze to the north side there are few small buildings that are used for warming houses in the winter, but at this time they are all locked up. The large structures are formed of brick that has aged from the changing seasons and rust has formed on the metal latches and doors. Surrounding the structures is a three-foot high stone wall that I could see no use for at first, but later figured out that it was the base for the old toboggan run. The stones are cemented in to the wall in no order or form, but still gives the impression of true craftsmanship. These stone walls stretch around the building and end abruptly at the end of the hill.

When standing behind the warming houses, it is easy to see the wear and tear of the the field that has held many sporting events in the last month. Large brown patches are on the ground are now all that remain of what was once fertile grass. Faded spray paint lines in the out-of-bounds mark where the field of play is and show how badly it needs to be redone. Enormous uprights at each end of the field are made of metal painted white that has been chipped off, exposing dark rusting. Just touching it leaves a fine powder which stays on the end of my fingertips.

In the winter time, Hoyt Park is not as colorful as it is now, but it is still fun. I have many memories of sledding down the hill with my friends when I was little. I remember the anticipation that I felt when I woke up on a Saturday morning and saw the snow on the ground. Leaping out of bed and scrambling to my closet, I put on my warmest clothes I could find because I planned on sledding for most of the day. As we would approach the park I would become excited at my first glimpse of all the other kids on the hill and having fun. As I began walking to the hill each step would become longer and faster, while I heard the crisp snow crunch under my tightly-laced boots. With each step the shouts of little kids would become more clear: “Give me a push!" shouted one kid to his buddy. As I sat on my sled waiting to plunge down the ever-popular hill, my heart would beat faster and faster as my gloves gripped the hard-packed-snow, preparing for my plunge down. A couple hard pushes would propel me down Hoyt hill, making me feel as if as my sled and I were one for a brief moment. The sled would spin in circles, like a carousel, until it ceased and I was on flat land and my sled came to a stop. Jumping to my feet with a smile on my face, I would run back to the top to do it again. This is how I spent many Saturdays in the winter.

Hoyt Park is a very entertaining in any season. From the countless sports that take place here to the beautiful scenery that enhances the park, I hope Hoyt Park will be here for many more generations to enjoy.