Idlewild, Michigan once known as America's "Black Eden" and one of the nation's most important African-American resorts and tourist destination, is honoring its proud heritage by preserving the past and building a new sustainable economic and cultural future.  Idlewild is a National Register of Historic Places District and part of a federally designated Enterprise Community. 

By 2012, Idlewild will celebrate its centennial and be recognized as a beautiful, historic, safe, clean, welcoming community that offers quality of life for its residents, exceptional visitor amenities, and unique recreational and cultural experiences for all ages.  Idlewild will achieve an appropriate balance between historic preservation and contemporary development.  As zoning ordinances will be duly enforced, blight will be eliminated, there will be no tent or trailer living as permanent housing and property throughout the community will appear well maintained and attractive.  Williams Island  will be a historic focal point and designated entertainment and recreational area.  A thriving downtown business district will host new specialty restaurants, shops, galleries, and services.  Quality motel, hotel, RV and camping accommodations will be abundant.  Businesses and jobs supporting Idlewild's unique culture and history will flourish throughout the community. 

Good stewardship of Idlewild's lakes, forest and wildlife will be evident.  Paying homage to the past, and honoring the legacies of  former Idlewilders such as social activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, entrepreneur Madame C.J. Walker, and writers Charles Waddell Chesnutt and Zora Neale Hurston, Idlewild will continue to serve as a nexus for artists, scholars, and other notables and host an exceptional music camp, exciting cultural festivals and events, educational and health retreats, and summer camps.  Well designed signage, lighting, walking paths, by-ways and trails will efficiently guide residents and visitors through the community.  The Idlewild Historic and Cultural Center  will be open, active and routinely in use by the community.  A special heritage trail and historical markers will help educate residents, visitors, educators, students, community activists and historians about Idlewild's unique role in our nation's history. 

In 2012, Idlewild will be a strong, unified and thriving community which has the capacity to successfully accommodate visitors while serving as a cultural haven for seniors, retirees, young people and growing families.

Approved and adopted by the Yates Township Board on July 16, 2007