The Department of Natural Resources today announced that Warren Dunes State Park's day use area will reopen Friday morning, May 22. The day use area was closed last September after a 10-inch rainstorm washed out the entrance road and collapsed the bridge crossing over Painterville Creek.

Warren Dunes State Park staff worked diligently with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the bridge contractor, Davis Construction out of Lansing, to remove and replace the crossing in record time, said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

"It was initially anticipated the project would take a year to complete. However, with the outstanding efforts of Davis Construction and Department of Transportation staff, along with the continual coordination from park staff, the project will be completed before the first major holiday of this summer season," Olson said.

"Over 1 million visitors will cross the creek along the entrance road to the park this year. It is likely that most visitors will never realize the effort that was needed to ensure their access to one of the top five state parks in Michigan, and one of the states' premier beaches" said Olson. "I would like to personally thank Davis Construction, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Warren Dunes State Park management and staff for their encouragement and noteworthy efforts."

Had the road remained closed entering the 2009 summer season, it would have negatively impacted Warren Dunes State Park day users, campers and visitors by requiring them to travel one mile farther to the beach. It would have also cost the park nearly $700,000 in lost revenue and negatively impacted private tourism-based businesses that rely on tourists and visitors to Warren Dunes and the general area.

The $1.1 million in funding for this unexpected infrastructure failure came from the State Park Improvement Fund, and expended the entire Parks and Recreation Division's fiscal year 2009 capital improvement budget.

Warren Dunes State Park is located at 12032 Read Arrow Highway in Sawyer in Berrien County. For more information about this project, the park, day use hours of operation, or accessibility, contact the park supervisor at (269) 426-4013 or visit www.michigan.gov/warrendunes. Camping reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling the DNR central reservation system at 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 (1919-2009) this year. Events are being posted at www.michigan.gov/dnrgogetoutdoors.