Last year, I published a post about a park that once belonged to family members and that had an inpact on me when I was growing up. Ramona Park, on Long Lake, outside of Kalamazoo, Michigan, featured a pavilion called Ramona Palace. Ramona was named after the “Indian Princess” in Helen Hunt Jackson’s popular novel Ramona, which was published in 1884.
When I was growing up, the property was owned by a relative named Therese Remine. Therese’s mother was Mary Paak (Peek), the sister of my great great grandmother, Alice Paak DeKorn.
Therese had inherited the property from Henry and Carrie Waruf, who had owned it for years.
Here are some photos of the pavilion and property that I inherited from the Waruf/Remine family: 
Although these photos were taken before my time, not that much had changed by the time I hung out there–except that things had slowed down considerably. There were fewer picnic tables and fewer people.
You see that long dock in the 3rd photo? It’s so long it needs to be called a pier, I think! I don’t remember that either.
The Family Kalamazoo 
Great history, photos, and memories!
Thanks, WJ! Yes, great memories!
That is a VERY long dock. Seems like the perfect place to hang out in the summer!
Doesn’t it look fun?!
Great photos – looks like a fun place to hang out during the summer!
Yes, so fun!
Ramona Park looks looks like a wonderful spot to spend relaxing summer days with family members. I can almost picture an extended family gathering for a reunion at the picnic tables.
I think I found a pic–still researching!
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The long dock that you see in your photo Luanne was not their in 1902 it was long gone, in the early forties there was a short dock that went out a little ways and turned left. and that stayed until Portage Township took it down. I graduated in June 1963 and Portage Township High School, Portage did not become a City until December of 1963. So it was all within Portage Township, Kalamazoo, Michigan.