Welcome to the Village of Alanson!
The Village of Alanson is serenely nestled on the bank of the Crooked River, a major link in the Inland Waterway of Northern Michigan, making it easily accessible by either boat or automobile. We are conveniently located 10 miles north of Petoskey on U.S. 31 and M-68.
The Village was first settled in 1875 and incorporated in 1905 during the great Michigan lumber boom. Our Village retains the character of that bygone era even though visitors will find the sawmills are long gone.
The Downtown area is contained in several short blocks that place many shops and services within easy walking distance. Shoppers can browse for antiques, flowers, fresh baked goodies or visit the hairdresser, bank and post office. There are restaurants galore, a first class hotel, and a hardware store that is a historical landmark.
For tranquility, walk the boardwalk along the river, sit on the Island for a fresh breeze off the water, or sit among the fragrant flowers on the Hillside Gardens. You will find Alanson is “a Place to Enjoy… a Place to Remember”.
Aerial view of the Village of Alanson.
Council Members:
- Greg Babcock – President – (231) 548-1058 – email hidden; JavaScript is required
- Mark Fairbairn – Trustee – (231) 330-5217
- Doug Larson – Trustee – (231) 373-0702 – email hidden; JavaScript is required
- Josh Larson – Trustee – (231)-353-5589 – email hidden; JavaScript is required
- Scott Latva – Trustee – (231) 203-4255 – email hidden; JavaScript is required
Ordinance Enforcement Officer
- Jamie Breithaupt – 231-330-3803 email hidden; JavaScript is required
Village of Alanson Code of Ordinances
Village Officials
- Jennifer Murphy – Clerk- Treasurer – Sewer Clerk – (231) 373-6412
- email hidden; JavaScript is required
- Craig Wilson Jr., – Deputy Clerk – (231) 548-5431
- email hidden; JavaScript is required
News
THE 2024 VILLAGE “CLEANUP
WILL ONCE AGAIN BE VIA VOUCHER SYSTEM (MAILED WITH TAX BILLS)
A NEW VISION: IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SPORTS COMPLEX
“If you build it, he will come.” The famous line heard by Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, has new meaning in the Village of Alanson. In October 2023, representatives from the Village approached the APS School Board with a new vision for the sports complex on Chicago Street. The Village offered to purchase the complex from Alanson Public Schools for one dollar with the understanding that Village resources would be spent to reconceptualize the property as a sports complex, and a greenspace for Village
residents.
Following this initial discussion, the Village engaged Gosling Czubak Engineering Services to provide a site design for a new baseball field, softball field, Little League baseball field, paved track, soccer fields, and walking path. This plan, along with the recently completed five-year recreation plan submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), qualified the Village to apply for up to $400,000 in grant dollars from the MDNR Natural Resources Trust Fund. If successful, grant dollars will be used to re-build existing ballfield infrastructure, build a new concession stand and bathroom, and provide infrastructure compliant with accessibility standards consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The project will likely be split into multiple phases. In the first phase, the Village will build the concession stand and improve the existing fields. Field improvements will include complete irrigation of the baseball and softball fields, enclosed batting cages, bullpens, dugout improvements, seating improvements, improved drainage, and a complete field rebuild. In total, the site is slated for more than $1,000,000 in renovations without the burden of additional funding from the taxpayer. If funding is successful, phase one will likely begin after the 2025 baseball and softball seasons. The second phase of construction will include the paved track and soccer fields. Should funds be available, the construction of a Little League field may expand the
site in the future.
