REGION- With summer finally here, exciting improvements continue to take shape in many state parks across Michigan.
A $273 million boost in federal American Rescue Plan relief funding was approved by the Michigan Legislature and has enabled the DNR to tackle a decades-long backlog of state parks, recreation and trail system infrastructure and rehabilitation needs.
These much-needed enhancements will require temporary closures during construction, but the upgraded facilities will create better park experiences for everyone now and in the future.
To upgrade the park’s water and sewer system and beach house toilet building, Interlochen State Park’s (Grand Traverse County) modern campground and day-use area east of J. Maddy Parkway, including the swim beach, park store, roads and trails, are closed this summer. A proposed $3.57 million in federal relief funding made these and other renovations possible.
To pave park roads and the parking lot and update the pavilion in Rifle River Recreation Area (Ogemaw County), the day-use area and pavilion are closed through June 15. A proposed $2.91 million in federal relief funding made these and other renovations possible.
To replace the toilet and shower building in Tahquamenon Falls State Park’s (Chippewa County) Lower Falls modern campground, the Hemlock loop is closed through at least July 1. A proposed $4.3 million in federal relief funding made these and future renovations possible.
To fix drainage issues, build new toilet and shower buildings and replace old sewer pumps in Young State Park (Charlevoix County), the Spruce campground will close through late summer. A proposed $2.82 million in federal relief funding made these renovations and others possible.
To learn about the status of ARPA-funded projects and to view an interactive map identifying proposed project locations and status of those projects, visit Michigan.gov/StateParksProgress.
Check Michigan.gov/DNRClosures for the latest updates on park improvements, estimated closure dates and other details. Visitors will also find notices on other enhancements taking place this summer and into the fall.
Questions on the projects? Contact Kristen Bennett, development unit manager for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, at 248-431-1265 or BennettK@Michigan.gov.
