Community Around Edgewater
You'll find only one listed on any map, because this City of Eaton Rapids is "The Only Eaton Rapids on Earth."
Located in south central lower Michigan midway between I-94 and I-96, close to I-69 and US 127, and linked by M-99, Eaton Rapids is ideally located for small-town living. Just 12 miles south of Lansing and 20 miles north of Jackson, Eaton Rapids is only minutes away from larger urban centers.
Yet Eaton Rapids' close proximity to urban areas makes it stand out even more favorably on its own. Built on an island between the Grand River and Spring Brook, this "Island City" is one of mid-Michigan's most idyllic communities. Everywhere you look you'll see water, whether you're shopping downtown or enjoying Eaton Rapids' impressive park system. Boasting a metro population of approximately 15,000 residents between the City of Eaton Rapids, Eaton Rapids Township (north) and Hamlin Township (south), Eaton Rapids is large enough to provide a complete structure of city services, but small enough to know your neighbors and your community.
The City of Eaton Rapids is guided by a Mayor who leads a pro-active City Council, with City Officials presiding over day-to-day operations, from city manager to police chief, fire chief, etc... An active Downtown Development Authority works closely with the Eaton Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations to improve and preserve the historical significance of downtown buildings, including a current project of preserving Red Ribbon Hall (formerly the Masonic Temple) into a performing arts/banquet venue.
The Miller House Restoration Project involves the entire community, as well as its spearheading organization - the Eaton Rapids Historical Society - as it evolves into a complete preservation of a 1930s house, ice cream factory, dairy barn, church, and one-room school house. The city continues to be pro-active in its vision for the future, creating new jobs through its active Industrial Park at both the north and south ends of town.
Current plans for the city include non-motorized trails to promote hiking and biking, as well as reconstruction of a canoe launch area on the Grand River downtown. The Eaton Rapids Public Library, a new amphitheater at Howe Memorial Field, a series of summer concerts at Island Park every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night from June through September are just a few of the "gems" of the city.
Residents and visitors alike enjoy the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning during the summer months, when they can pick up fresh produce while sipping on a cappuccino or latte at the outdoor cafe nearby. Eaton Rapids' beauty, charm and historical significance continues to provide a reverence for its past success, and a clear focus for the future of the city.
For more information, call the City of Eaton Rapids at 517-663-8118 or visit: www.ci.eaton-rapids.mi.us. The Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 517-663-6480, or visit: www.eatonrapidschamber.com.