A capital improvement project at Davis Bridge County Park in Stanwood is set to begin next week, resulting in the temporary closure of several park areas.

Construction is scheduled to start next Monday, June 16, which will result in the closure of the boat launch, boat trailer parking, picnic areas, hand water pump, and public restrooms through mid-September. The park entrance will remain open with limited parking for those accessing Michigan’s Dragon Trail.

The project includes a new fishing platform, an ADA-compliant kayak/canoe launch, a new vault toilet building, a water access pathway and ramp system, sidewalk installations, picnic area enhancements, and paved parking spaces.

As water access components are installed, shoreline erosion issues will be addressed, with shoreline refurbishment included in the engineering of the new amenities. The water access pathway is designed to assist ice fishermen with a sloped route during winter, while preventing future erosion from visitors walking over undeveloped riverbank areas.

 

^{A construction blueprint at Davis Bridge County Park (Courtesy of Mecosta County Parks).}

"The addition of the launch at this location will provide connectivity with a matching structure installed at Brower County Park and is a continuation of on-going efforts in the development of a Muskegon River Water Trail within the greater Big Rapids area," Park Superintendent Jeff Abel said via a release.

During construction, boaters and those accessing Hardy Reservoir are encouraged to use nearby launches at Brower County Park or the DNR-managed public launch under the U.S.-131 overpass.

The park renovations at Davis Bridge will cost more than $525,000, with $300,000 funded through a Michigan DNR Trust Fund grant.

Davis Bridge Park is managed by the Mecosta County Park Commission in partnership with the landowner, Consumers Energy. Plans and engineering were made possible through grant funding from the Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund.

For more information about this project or Mecosta County parks, visit www.MecostaCountyParks.com.

_{Release information and image courtesy of Mecosta County Parks.}