Across Michigan, state park users will find temporary closures while the state uses $250 million in federal funding to make infrastructure improvements and create the first state park in Genesee County.
The $250 million comes from federal COVID-19 relief funding through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and is outlined in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan. It will enable, she said, Michigan to address a "decades-long backlog of repair and maintenance concerns" in state parks.
State parks, including trails, will see repairs, replacements or modernizations.An additional $23 million was appropriated Aug. 1, 2023, for Belle Isle Park, including $10 million for the Belle Isle Conservancy to tackle crucial HVAC upgrades. ARPA funding now stands at $273 million for the state's parks and recreation system.
"We've got a number of projects done and a number of projects underway. The construction can't be done in the wintertime, so some of them spill over into the summer," said Ron Olson, Michigan Department of Natural Resources parks and recreation division chief.
"They'll be some done this summer, they'll be starting up in the fall. There were some that were just completed here recently and some that will pick up next year," Olson said. "They'll be some trail work, bathrooms that will be either be replaced or renovated, they'll be roads that'll be repaved and redone, sewer systems, water lines."
The state's parks see nearly 35 million people every year and are among the most-visited outdoor destinations in the country, the DNR said. Park-goers can see partial or full park closures and track progress on the department's website.
Several popular state parks have construction projects planned that will run through the fall.
"In the construction world, this is much like a race against time to design, bid and plan these projects in such a short time frame," Olson said in a release. "The ARPA funds must be committed by Dec. 31, 2024, and spent on those projects by Dec. 31, 2026. It’s an exciting opportunity, but one that requires careful planning, broad action and thorough execution.”
Current and upcoming closures
- Algonac State Park (St. Clair County): Full-hookup site installation and road repairs in the day-use area and modern campground will prompt closures this spring and summer. A proposed $4.1 million in ARPA funding is available for these and other renovations.
- Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County): Electrical and road upgrades will close the Bishop Lake modern campground Aug. 11 to mid-May 2025. Road repairs will close the Horseman’s equestrian campground June 1 to Oct. 15. A proposed $2.97 million in ARPA funding is available.
- Interlochen State Park (Grand Traverse County): Due to a park enhancement project to upgrade the water and sewer system, and beach house toilet building, the day-use area and modern campground are closed this spring and summer. The park’s Duck Lake Boating Access Site will intermittently close. The Green Lake Boating Access Site and rustic campground will remain open. A proposed $3.57 million in ARPA funding is available.
- Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County): To replace toilet and shower buildings, the park’s modern campground is temporarily closed. The east loop is slated to open July 31; however, it may open earlier if construction is ahead of schedule. The west loop likely will remain closed through July 31 due to enhancements. All other park amenities, including boating access sites, trails, cabins, group camps picnic shelters and the equestrian campground remain open. A proposed $3 million in ARPA funding is available.
- Ludington State Park (Mason County): Enhancements that include paving, parking expansion and improved traffic and pedestrian flow at the park’s main entrance will close the majority of the park Sept. 3, 2024, through July 1, 2025. The 2,000 acres of parkland and 3-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline south of the Big Sable River, including the hiking trails and boardwalk, will remain open and accessible to the public via roadway parking along M-116. A proposed $4.26 million in ARPA funding is available.
- McLain State Park (Houghton County): An upgrade of the wastewater treatment system will close the modern campground starting Aug. 1 and last for the remainder of the 2024 season. A proposed $350,000 in ARPA funding is available.
- Port Crescent State Park (Huron County): To upgrade roads, water/sewer lines, electrical and the sanitation station, the park’s modern campground is closed for the 2024 season. The beach house is being upgraded. A proposed $4.95 million in ARPA funding is available.
mjohnson@detroitnews.com
@_myeshajohnson
