The future of Cassidy Lake in the Waterloo State Recreation Area has become the center of a growing debate, as community advocates push for a world-class disc golf course and multi-use trails while state officials lean toward modest improvements like a boat dock and primitive campsites. At stake is whether 85 acres of land—once home to the Cassidy Lake Correctional Facility—will be transformed into a regional recreation destination or remain largely underdeveloped.
From Prison Camp to Recreation Potential
The Cassidy Lake property, an 85-acre parcel in the Waterloo State Recreation Area, once housed the Michigan Department of Corrections Cassidy Lake Correctional Facility. Acquired by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in 2023, the site was cleared of buildings and identified for recreational use. Former MDNR Parks and Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson explained in 2024 that the disturbed land offered “opportunities to do some more active recreational things there,” including disc golf, trails, and a small boat launch…