Feb. 13, 2008

Mackinaw City, Mich. - Construction of Mackinac State Historic Parks' (MSHP) new Treetop Discovery Tour and children's discovery stations at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park is on schedule and set to be completed by season opening on May 5.

The Forest Canopy Bridge, sponsored by Mackinac Associates, the non-profit friend's group helping to preserve Mackinac's heritage, and the Eagle's Flight Zip Line are part of the park's new nature tour experience.  These features, along with the children's Water Power Station, sponsored by Presque Isle Electric and Gas Co-op, our local Touchstone Energy Cooperative, and the Forest Friends Play Area, are carefully chosen experiences that will allow visitors to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of natural history while having fun at the same time.  Visitors will be guided in small groups through the nature course while the guide informs them of the many different plant and animal species present at the park. 

"We've borrowed many ideas that have been successfully used in eco-tourism destinations around the world, including rainforests and national parks, places that also wanted to promote and preserve the natural beauty of their parks and sites," said Phil Porter, MSHP director.

The addition of these nature experiences are consistent with early Mill Creek design and philosophy, according to Dr. David Armour, retired MSHP deputy director with 38 years experience with the parks.  Armour was an instrumental figure in the development of Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, first known as Old Mill Creek.

"From Mill Creek's initial concept design we have sought ways to directly involve our visitors in discovering and experiencing the human and natural history of the park," Armour said.

According to Mike Sutton, MSHP mainland park manager, construction of the bridge and zip line is progressing steadily and on schedule.  Construction on the Forest Canopy Bridge began in November when two footings were poured.  During the next several months, the structural steel was put in place for bridge supports by Ropes Courses, Inc., of Allegan, Michigan, bridge cables were hung, decking was installed and leveled, and rope was added.

"Construction has gone very well," Sutton commented.  "The weather has cooperated, and we've had a good crew."

The children's discovery stations are also well on their way to completion, with elements to be installed in the spring.  The Water Power Station is being designed and constructed by David Kronberg, MSHP exhibit designer, and MSHPs' operations unit, including Bob Henning.  The working mechanisms of the station, including the water wheels, floats and framework have been completed, as well as the stainless steel display structure.

"Our team wanted a fun and splashy way for families to learn how falling water produces work," explained Kronberg.  "I envisioned a Rube Goldberg-esque wall of motion, mechanics and sound.  All basic water wheels of the 18^th century are represented in the display with excellent and well-researched explanations.  We had the opportunity to use a cutting-edge technology called fused deposition stereo lithography.  This process produced an awesome plastic scale model tub wheel for the display." 

While construction progresses and with many features nearing completion, visitors are cautioned that although much of the 625 acres of the nature park are open for winter recreation,  some areas are construction sites with obvious dangers, including the areas around the bridge and zip line.  Therefore, these areas are not open to the public.

Additions to the park have taken place since its opening in 1984, including the Millwright's House and nature trail improvements.  MSHP is also continuing to make the east side creek trail barrier-free and accessible to all members of the public.

"The trail work that Mackinac State Historic Parks is currently undertaking will allow visitors to access many peaceful, scenic locations along the creek that were not universally accessible to everyone even last year," Porter said.  "We understand the importance of making these tranquil spots accessible to everyone, and so in the last few years we have acted on a broad initiative to build and improve the trail system for everyone's use."

In addition to building and improving these trails, MSHP has placed benches on the trails for rest and relaxation, including several overlooking the creek.

MSHP is funding these improvements and additions to Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park through outside sources such as grants and private donations.  No state tax dollars are being used.

While improvements are made, all features enjoyed by visitors throughout the years will continue to be available and appreciated, including an 18^th-century water-powered sawmill, a sawpit with demonstrations, a nature program, and the tranquility and beauty of the park.

To keep visitors informed about construction progress, MSHP has created a construction progress update link on the bottom of the homepage of MackinacParks.com.  The link provides access to a special Web site section dedicated to providing up-to-date construction progress information on each new park feature, including descriptive text, current photos, press releases and public comment.

"The new section of MackinacParks.com will enable the public to keep apprised of the Discovery Park additions as they're constructed through this winter and early spring," said Greg Hokans, MSHP chief of development and marketing.  "We encourage the public to help us spread the exciting news to friends and family about the innovative additions to Mackinac State Historic Parks in 2008."

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a Pure Michigan family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Its sites-which are accredited by the American Association of Museums-include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park and Historic Downtown on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City.  Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks' rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations.  Visitor information is available at (231) 436-4100 or on the Web at www.MackinacParks.com.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) .