Tivoli Gardens is a top-notch, 3-event private site located southwest of Flint in Gaines, MI. While many Michigan skiers have heard of it or skied there as guests or tournament competitors, some may not have met the owner, Jason Kenyon. Even fewer know the history of Tivoli or Jason himself.
Jason grew up in the northeast part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. His grandparents owned a home on a lake a few miles from Jason’s parents and the family spent many hours each summer enjoying watersports. He started skiing at age 7 and their primary boat was an ordinary tri-hull with a 55HP Chrysler outboard. Jason maximized his time with that boat, as he continued to advance his skiing. While not entirely endorsed by his family, he was able to barefoot behind it at age 13 with a kneeboard start, after directing his aunt to supply all available power and speed that the boat could provide.
While in high school, Jason convinced his parents, aunt, and uncle to purchase a new 1992 MasterCraft Prostar 190. That wise endeavor not only allowed Jason the opportunity to advance his abilities, but the family still owns that well-maintained boat and enjoys it regularly each summer with the next generation of his family.
While attending his first year of college near his parent’s home, he skied the slalom course for the first time. The only opportunity for those first passes in the course was at a tournament. Despite no previous exposure to the course, he achieved a podium finish. The experience of the slalom course had him hooked and furthered his skiing interest.
Jason transferred to the University of Michigan to complete his degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. When he discovered their water ski team, he quickly joined. He skied his first tournament with U of M in his junior year as a slalom-only skier, but eventually participated in all three events to help round out the U of M team roster at the tournaments. He won some of those collegiate slalom events and, became the club president for two of his three years at U of M.
Following graduation, Jason starting working in Flint and took up residence in a small apartment above Silver Spray Sports on Silver Lake. Rather than buy a new vehicle or a home, Jason kept his priorities in order and bought a Ski Nautique to maximize his time on the water!
It was after college that Jason met local water ski legend Paul Boel. While working for Gould Engineering, the firm that designed Tivoli Gardens at the Gaines location, Jason performed permitting, surveying, and engineering tasks on the Tivoli lake design. Tivoli was constructed during the 1998-1999 timeframe and the first ski season was in 1999. When Paul learned that Jason was searching for property to build a house, Paul suggested that he purchase a lot at the newly completed Tivoli site. The lot Paul offered to Jason was not just any lot, but the lot right at the starting dock. Jason bought the lot at Tivoli in 1999, built his house, and moved into it in 2000.
Upon his relocation to Tivoli, Jason managed the Tivoli Gardens Ski Club for Paul. He was responsible for club operations, installing/removing/replacing the buoys, coordinating jump ramp installation/removal, and general site maintenance. Jason and Paul provided an excellent facility, including club boat and clubhouse, to the members, with a goal of sharing the sport in the best setting possible.
Jason and his wife, Mary, purchased Tivoli Gardens from Paul in the fall of 2015 and have continued to operate the club as it has existed originally, with about 18-20 members currently.
During the ski season, Jason balances his work and family commitments to find time on the water. His three middle school aged children keep him busy elsewhere coaching baseball and softball. As for his skiing, Jason has a personal practice best of 5@35 off at 34 mph, a 34 mph tournament best 1@35 off, and a 36 mph best of 1@32 off. As the 2018 season gets underway, he is ready to challenge those and enjoy some great skiing at a great site.
Jason is committed to continuing Paul’s passion for water skiing and his dedication to promoting the sport. Tivoli Gardens Ski Club hosts several tournaments each year, as well as coaching clinics and other events that require the specific site capabilities of a purpose-built ski lake. The Tivoli Gardens Ski Club is geared to bring the sport to families and foster youth participation. Jason hosts the Ripfest collegiate tournaments each year and provides practice days at the Tivoli site for the college teams. This is a valuable opportunity for those skiers to practice, especially for the jump competitors whose time on a jump ramp is usually rare or limited.
As Jason continues to carry Paul’s vision and stewardship for 3-event water skiing forward, he is focused on recruiting the younger skiers to expand and maintain the sport. The future of water skier depends on the success we all have in attracting new interest, providing opportunities, and mentoring the new generation of skiers into those that will lead it forward.
Membership opportunities at Tivoli Gardens are available. If interested, contact Jason for details at jkenyon@wadetrim.com.