The Friends of the Bay City State Recreation Area was formed in 1994 as a support group for the interpretive program, the visitor center and other resources of the Bay City State Park. The Friends' purpose is to provide educational and recreational opportunities to people visiting the recreation area.

Many past visitors to the recreation area enjoyed climbing the Tobico Towers at the Tobico Marsh to catch the views of the oak forest and the wetlands. A grant request came from the Friends organization for $15,000 to be renovated and returned to public access to view the oak forest and waterfowl migration.

In addition, the Friends of the Bay City State Recreation Area requested a grant for the development of a Spray Park to be built in the picnic area of the Bay City State Recreation Area. At the time of the request, the beach area of the State Park was not usable because of the muck and phragmites. The Friends wanted another water activity for children who were staying in the camp ground or on a day trip to the recreation area.