Facility Overview
Situated directly along Michigan State Route 46 (M-46 / Howard City-Edmore Road) in rural Montcalm County, the parking facility at 6655 E Howard City-Edmore Road serves as the primary open-air surface lot for the historic Marl View Lanes and Marl View Sports Bar & Grille. Featuring a broad, single-level open asphalt and gravel footprint, this rural community lot delivers unobstructed access and straightforward maneuvering. Because it is completely open-air without ceiling barriers, overhead crossbars, or multi-story clearance restrictions, the facility accommodates passenger cars, full-size pickup trucks, commercial utility vehicles, high-roof conversion vans, and recreational vehicles or boat/snowmobile trailers with total ease.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Positioned conveniently between the village of Edmore to the west and Riverdale and Alma to the east, this location acts as a key social gathering hub and highway pit stop in central lower Michigan. Key destinations and recreational landmarks nearby include:
- Marl View Sports Bar & Grille & Marlview Lanes: Directly on-site, welcoming visitors for bowling league nights, electronic darts, billiards, sports viewing, weekend karaoke, live bands, and tavern dining.
- Fred Meijer Heartland Trail: Located just moments away, this popular 42-mile paved multi-use rail-trail connects Montcalm and Gratiot counties for biking, jogging, and walking.
- Downtown Edmore: Approximately 4 miles west, offering local shops, community markets, dining, and the annual Edmore Potato Festival grounds.
- Vestaburg Community & Surrounding Lakes: Minutes from downtown Vestaburg, Cedar Lake, Rock Lake, and surrounding Montcalm County fishing and hunting recreation lands.
- Alma & Alma College: Positioned roughly 15 miles east down the M-46 corridor, making this a frequent midway meeting point for travelers and regional commuters.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
The facility provides seamless ingress and egress directly from East Howard City-Edmore Road (M-46), a prominent east-west trunkline connecting US-131 on the west to US-127 and Alma on the east. Wide curb cuts allow comfortable two-way traffic, enabling drivers of long-bed trucks and towed trailers to turn safely off the highway. Traffic flows smoothly throughout the day, with brief evening spikes during bowling leagues, community weekend dinners, or live concert nights. While public municipal transit in this rural region is limited, the lot offers immediate vehicular connectivity to county arterials like Crystal Road, Vestaburg Road, and North County Line Road.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Expansive Surface Parking: Level, grade-level parking lot immediately adjacent to the venue entrance for easy walking.
- Zero Height Restrictions: Open-sky layout suitable for lifted 4x4s, work vans, utility trailers, and RVs.
- Complimentary Visitor Parking: Free self-parking for diners, league bowlers, and event guests during operating hours.
- ADA Accessibility: Level surface and designated accessible spaces positioned near the building entry for smooth wheelchair and walker mobility.
- Exterior Lighting: Perimeter lot illumination providing visibility and peace of mind during late-night departures.
Ideal For
- Dining Guests & Sports Fans: Patrons heading to Marl View Sports Bar & Grille for game broadcasts, dinner, and social drinks.
- Bowlers & League Participants: Guests participating in youth and adult bowling leagues or weekend family games at Marlview Lanes.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts & Day-Trippers: Drivers seeking a convenient stopover while exploring local inland lakes, seasonal hunting grounds, or the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail.
- Highway Commuters & Long-Haul Drivers: Motorists traveling across central Michigan on the M-46 corridor needing an accessible, hassle-free spot for dining and relaxation.
Visitor & Driver Tips
When approaching the lot along M-46, maintain moderate speeds as traffic along this state highway travels quickly; signal early before turning into the entrance apron. During winter months, snow and ice can accumulate across open lots in central Michigan, so exercise caution when navigating and choose well-cleared rows near the main doors. Friday and Saturday evenings coincide with live entertainment and league nights, meaning early arrival between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM ensures prime parking spots nearest to the venue entrance. If you are towing a trailer or driving a motorhome, pull straight into the outer perimeter spaces to avoid blocking local vehicle drive lanes.
