Improvements at state parks continue; temporary closures in place

With summer just around the corner, 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. The funding, secured through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and aligned with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan, will also support the construction of a new state park in Flint (Genesee County). Altogether, the ARPA funding includes the initial $250 million allocated in March 2022 – $219.8 million for state parks program repair/rehabilitation needs and $30.2 million for the new state park in Flint – plus an additional $23 million allocated in August 2023 for Belle Isle Park rehabilitation. 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. “Although you may see shovels in the ground across many locations, there’s still plenty of outdoor adventure to be found,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division. “With 100-plus state parks, 140 state forest campgrounds, more than a thousand boating access sites, historic sites and much more, there is no shortage of outdoor places to explore and enjoy this summer.” Olson also noted that other ARPA-funded projects will start this fall and into 2025.

Current ARPA-funded closures

To install full-hookup sites and repave the roads at Algonac State Park (St. Clair County), the park’s day-use area is closed through early fall and the modern campground is closed through spring 2025. These projects and others are made possible thanks to a proposed $4.1 million in federal relief funding.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and outdoor gardens in Belle Isle Park (Wayne County) have been closed since November 2022 to revitalize the upper 60 feet of the 80-foot-tall conservatory dome in one of the nation’s oldest turn-of-the-century glass houses still in existence. Both locations are anticipated to reopen in fall 2024. Additionally, the casino is closed through at least the end of the year for accessibility improvements. These projects and others are made possible thanks to a proposed $27.75 million in federal relief funding.

The furnace complex at Fayette State Park’s (Delta County) historic townsite is undergoing structural upgrades. The furnace complex will be closed to visitors during construction, which will likely take place throughout the entire summer. A proposed $6 million in federal relief made these renovations and others possible.

Fort Custer Recreation Area’s (Kalamazoo County) modern campground is closed through July 31 to replace both toilet and shower buildings and install new underground electrical conductors, site pedestals and distribution panels in the west loop. All other park facilities will remain open. A proposed $3 million in federal relief made these renovations and others possible.

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 update roads and sidewalks, beach parking lots and restrooms, several closures will occur on varying timelines at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County). The road east of Kent Lake beach and the Bluebird and Hickory shelters are now closed through October. Kent Lake beach and Trout Lake, Kent Lake Dam and the Hickory Ridge Trail parking will close Aug. 8 through October. Other park areas will close this fall, including the park entrance, which will close to vehicular traffic Sept. 16 through October. Trails will remain open throughout construction and can be accessed by various nonmotorized park entrances. A proposed $2.95 million in federal relief made these renovations and others possible.

Due to paving and electrical, water and sewer improvements, Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area’s (Lapeer County) day-use area and modern campground are temporarily closed. The day-use area and boating access site are slated to reopen this month (around June 15) and the modern campground and overnight lodging options are set to reopen in April 2025. A proposed $5.91 million in federal relief funding made these and other renovations possible.

A new toilet and shower building is under construction in Muskallonge State Park’s (Luce County) modern campground. As a result, campground section 3 is closed. Completion is slated for late summer. A proposed $3.275 million in federal relief funding made these and other renovations possible.

To upgrade roads, water and sewer lines, electrical and the sanitation station, Port Crescent State Park’s (Huron County) modern campground and overnight lodging accommodations are closed for the 2024 season. A proposed $4.95 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.

Due to road paving and electrical improvements throughout the park, Seven Lake State Park’s (Oakland County) day-use area is closed Monday through Friday for much of the season and the modern campground is closed through Oct. 31. A proposed $3.1 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 update electrical, sewer, park roads and the fishing pier in Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), the beach house, picnic shelters and Gun Lake campground have closed for the season. The majority of the day-use area, main park road and boating access site will remain open (except when construction work prohibits safe access). A proposed $5.5 million in federal relief funding made these and other 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.

Additional ARPA and closure information

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 [email protected].