Van Riper State Park, in conjunction with Champion Township and the Michigan Department of Transportation, is pleased to announce the opening of the Champion Beach Trail, a new non-motorized trail that allows park visitors and residents to walk or ride bikes safely between the village of Champion and Van Riper State Park. The approximately one-mile paved trail was named after the park's popular beach.

The grand opening ceremony will be held Saturday, May 23, at Van Riper State Park. The ceremony begins at noon with a ribbon cutting, followed by a bike/walk parade along the trail. The parade will proceed along Dalabi, Furnace and Rail Road streets in Champion to the Berle LaPin Veteran's Memorial Park.

At 1 p.m., the dedication ceremony begins and will include guest speakers, a Memorial Day service and refreshments. A bluegrass/old time music jam will be held in the Van Riper State Park shelter building from 3 to 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend all events.

"Opening this trail is the perfect way to kick off our summer season," said Doug Barry, park supervisor. "A representative from the Marquette County Health Department also will be on hand to conduct a fitness walk for interested participants and provide information about a 20-week walking fitness program for residents."

The Champion Beach Trail was constructed by the Michigan Department of Transportation. The $460,000 project was funded by the Michigan Transportation Enhancement Program, a competitive grant program that funds projects such as non-motorized trails, streetscapes and other transportation facilities to enhance Michigan's inter-modal transportation system and improve the quality of life for Michigan citizens.

For more information about the trail or the Michigan Transportation Enhancement Program, visit the MDOT Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot, or contact Andy Sikkema, MDOT project manager at (906) 485-6322, ext. 115.

Van Riper State Park is located 35 miles west of Marquette along US-41. With a half mile of frontage on Lake Michigamme and more than a mile of frontage along the Peshekee River, fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities for park visitors.

For more information about this event, the park, accessibility, or persons with disabilities needing accommodations to attend this event, contact Doug Barry at (906) 339-4461 (TTY/TDD 711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) at least seven days prior to the event, or visit www.michigan.gov/vanriper. For those interested in camping at Van Riper State Park for this event, reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling 800-447-2757.

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.

Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks this year. Events are being posted at www.michigan.gov/dnrgogetoutdoors.