ARPA-funded state park improvement projects on track; 73% are completed or underway

As Fourth of July holiday festivities wind down, Michigan state parkgoers have even more to celebrate. Thanks to a historic $273 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, 122 of 168 (73%) planned improvement projects at state parks have been completed or are in progress.

This unprecedented investment, which was outlined in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan, has been crucial to the state parks system, allowing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to significantly reduce a decades-long backlog of vital repair and maintenance projects and support the development of a new state park in Flint – the first in Genesee County.

While many improvements wrapped up this summer and over the past year, significant work has been actively transforming our parks since early 2024.

“These critical federal relief funds are at the heart of many incredibly transformative projects at 55 state parks across our peninsulas,” said Kristen Kosick, DNR Parks and Recreation chief. “Visitors are already seeing or will see important upgrades and enhancements to park amenities and infrastructure, changes that are geared toward a safer, more welcoming environment, greater comfort and more positive guest experiences. We appreciate the public's understanding and patience while some locations are closed for construction, and we look forward to visitors enjoying these vital upgrades when the projects are complete."

Kosick also said that these federal ARPA funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026, so many more projects will cross the finish line over the next 16 months.

Recently completed projects

Curious about what good work has happened and where? Following are brief descriptions, organized alphabetically by park name, outlining the improvements and upgrades completed to date. Other projects at some of the parks listed here may still be planned or in progress. Check the status of all ARPA-funded park projects at Michigan.gov/StateParksProgress.

This past spring, Algonac State Park (St. Clair County) enhanced its visitor experience with several significant upgrades. The Riverfront modern campground now boasts newly installed full-hookup sites, and the Riverfront modern campground and park entrances have been repaved. These improvements, among others, were supported by a proposed $4.1 million in ARPA funding.

Thanks to a proposed $1.75 million in ARPA funding for this project and others, a new toilet building in the day-use beach area and replacement of the water system reopened at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County) in June.

Last summer, Bay City State Park (Bay County) reopened with significant upgrades to its day-use area, including a reconfigured road, new pedestrian sidewalks and a bus drop-off loop. The modern campground also features a new entrance and pedestrian sidewalk. These improvements, along with substantial renovations to the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center in 2022, were made possible by a proposed $4.35 million in ARPA funding for this and other projects.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, a beloved Detroit landmark at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County) in Detroit, reopened this past December after two years of extensive renovations. These improvements, among others, were supported by a proposed $35.25 million in ARPA funding.

Fayette Historic State Park (Delta County) used a proposed $3.05 million in ARPA funding for a number of significant upgrades throughout the park, including the replacement of all five drain fields and improvements to the accessible walkway and restroom at the visitor center, as well as enhancements to the historic townsite early last summer.

Last summer, Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County) completed significant upgrades to the west loop of its modern campground, funded by a proposed $3 million in ARPA funding for these improvements and others, including the replacement of both toilet and shower buildings, along with the installation of new electrical conductors, site pedestals and distribution panels.

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park's (Keweenaw County) modern campground now features a new toilet and shower building in the west loop as of this past June. These improvements, alongside upcoming electrical and campsite upgrades in the east loop later this summer, were funded by a proposed $1.68 million in ARPA funds.

The 92-mile Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park is now fully paved after the recent completion of a 21-mile stretch between Howard City in Montcalm County and Big Rapids in Mecosta County, which reopened to trail users in May 2025. A proposed $9.6 million in ARPA funding made these renovations possible.

An electrical upgrade in Hartwick Pines State Park’s (Crawford County) modern campground was completed in late June thanks to  a proposed $3.25 million in ARPA funding for the park, along with the replacement of the roof on the chapel and Hartwick Pines Logging Museum’s bunkhouse a couple summers earlier.  Visitor center and Memorial Building renovations are being completed this summer.

Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County) reopened its day-use area toilet building this past June. This is part of a proposed $6.4 million in ARPA funding in which upgraded water and sewer lines, renovated campground roads and a new bike path were completed last summer. Currently, renovations are underway at the Gillette Visitor Center.

At the end of June, Ludington State Park (Mason County) opened a week ahead of schedule, featuring newly repaved roads, upgraded pedestrian walkways and improved parking areas. A proposed $2.635 million in ARPA funding made these renovations possible.

Thanks to a proposed $350,000 in ARPA funding, an on-site wastewater treatment lagoon rehabilitation project was completed last summer in McLain State Park (Houghton County).

Last summer, Muskallonge Lake State Park (Luce County) completed a new toilet and shower building in its modern campground, significantly enhancing services for campers. This project is part of a proposed $2.175 million in ARPA funding that also includes construction of an accessible boardwalk and path to Lake Superior and road paving.

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon and Gogebic counties) Visitor Center reopened in late June following a major renovation that features new, accessible amenities and updated restrooms, among other enhancements. These improvements are part of a proposed $6.125 million in ARPA funding that also delivered earlier upgrades, including an expanded Summit Peak parking lot, renovations to the historic service area, modern lodge and staff quarters, upgrades to the sewage system, and paving of roads and parking lots at the park headquarters and visitor center.

Upgrades to roads, water and sewer lines, electrical systems and the sanitation station and new full-hookup sites were completed at Port Crescent State Park’s (Huron County) modern campground in late June. A proposed $4.95 million in ARPA funds made these and other renovations possible.

As of mid-June, campers at Rifle River Recreation Area’s (Ogemaw County) Grousehaven modern campground will enjoy upgraded electric, water systems and a new lift station. These improvements, among others, were supported by a proposed $2.91 million in ARPA funding.

Thanks to a proposed $535,000 in ARPA funds, a nonmotorized trail now provides trail users a designated path around Higgins Lake in South Higgins Lake State Park (Roscommon County). The trail will connect to a trailway project in partnership with Roscommon County.

Upgraded water and electrical systems now greet visitors at Tahquamenon Falls State Park’s (Chippewa County) modern campground this past June. These renovations, including a soon-to-be fully accessible boardwalk at the Upper Falls and a new toilet and shower building in the Lower Falls modern campground last summer, were supported by a proposed $3.275 million in ARPA funding.

Enhancements at Tawas Point State Park (Iosco County), encompassing electrical system upgrades at the modern campground and paving throughout the park, were completed in May. These improvements, among others, were supported by a proposed $3.0951 million in ARPA funding.

Thanks to a proposed $4.25 million in ARPA funds, Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County) completed significant upgrades in April, including upgraded electrical and sewer systems at the Gun Lake modern campground, as well as renovations to the fishing pier and toilet and concessions building in the day-use area on Gun Lake.

Young State Park (Charlevoix County) is now home to two new toilet and shower buildings, paved roads, sewer pumps and improved drainage thanks to a proposed $2.82 million in ARPA funding for this project. This project was completed in June.

ARPA project status and closures

A number of other ARPA-related projects are in the works this summer and fall. For the latest details on those projects, including anticipated closure timelines, visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

Questions on the projects? Contact Nick Van Bloem, planning unit manager for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, at 517-388-7043 or VanBloemN@Michigan.gov.

A photo gallery showing a variety of before-and-after project photos is available on the project page.