State parks in Michigan are set to temporarily close this summer and fall for much-needed improvements, thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
A total of $250 million was made available to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to address critical needs in state parks and trails, as well as build a new state park in Flint, according to a report by Fox 17.
The funds must be committed to a project by December 31, 2024, and spent on that project by December 31, 2026.
A number of parks in West Michigan will be affected, including Fort Custer Recreation Area, Hoffmaster State Park, Kal-Haven Trail State Park, Ludington State Park’s Beechwood Campground, Muskegon State Game Area, Paw Paw East Boat Access Site, Rogue River State Game Area, Twin Lakes State Park, Yankee Springs Recreation Area, and Yankee Springs Recreation Area’s Gun Lake Campground.
Fort Custer Recreation Area’s modern campground sites will be temporarily closed due to an underground wiring issue, with electrical service unavailable on certain campsites into the 2023 season.
Hoffmaster State Park will be closed for park enhancement projects, including the replacement of water and sewer lines, renovation of day-use toilet facilities, and reconstruction of park and campground roads.
The day-use road, organizational campground, and visitor center will close from April 1 to July 2023, with the campground closing from July 7 for the remainder of the season.
Kal-Haven Trail State Park will have a one-mile section along the trail that can’t be groomed due to a bridge that is unable to accommodate snowmobile grooming equipment.
Ludington State Park’s Beechwood Campground will be closed through June 30, 2023 due to a contractor delay in replacing bathroom buildings and part of the electrical system.
Target shooting activities are indefinitely prohibited at the West Unit of Muskegon State Game Area and the River Rogue State Game Area, and the River State Game Area Extension Unit in Kent County.
The Paw Paw East Boat Access Site will be closed through November for pacing, while the Twin Lakes State Park modern campground will be closed from August 2023 to May 2024 for the construction of a new toilet building and the upgrade of utilities.
The planned park enhancement project at the modern campground at Yankee Springs Recreation Area has been delayed to fall 2023, with semi-modern camping available from April 1 to May 14. Finally, the Gun Lake campground at Yankee Springs Recreation Area is closed due to a structural fire.
Overall, these temporary closures will allow for much-needed improvements to the state parks and recreation system in Michigan, ensuring that visitors can continue to enjoy these outdoor spaces for years to come.
A full list of closures can be found here.