Department of Natural Resources officials announced today that Warren Dunes State Park's day use area will be closed temporarily due to road damage. Warren Dunes State Park is located near Sawyer in southwest Lower Michigan.

Due to heavy rainfalls received over the weekend, Painter Creek, which crosses under the day use area entrance road at Warren Dunes State Park, has risen to above flood level and is undercutting the crossing. The road and bridge have begun to buckle and are showing signs that they may fail.

"This could be a problem for visitors for the rest of the season," said Roland Johnson, the DNR's Plainwell District supervisor. "Even when the water recedes, we will not reopen the day use area road until damages have been assessed, repairs have been made and the road has been cleared for the public to travel safely."

Park staff are contacting engineers and assessing the damages. Park staff and the county road commission are unable to predict when the road will reopen until a damage assessment can be made.

The day use area at Warren Dunes State Park will remain closed until further notice. The campground, however, will remain open for the remainder of the season and camping reservations can be made on-line at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling 800-447-2757.

Warren Dunes State Park is located at 12032 Red Arrow Highway in Sawyer in Berrien County. For information or updates regarding the day use area and the road damages, contact Michael Terrell, Warren Dunes State Park manager, at 269-426-4013.