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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will hold an open house this month to showcase three master plan concepts being considered to replace features lost to Lake Superior wave erosion at F.J. McLain State Park in Houghton County.
The 443-acre park is situated between Calumet and Hancock and features two miles of windswept Lake
Superior beachfront.
Severe storms occurring in September 2014 and January 2015 produced erosion that ate away park roadways, utilities and large sections of embankment forced the closure of a dozen lakefront campsites.
Another 18 lakefront campsites, six mini-cabins and the park’s toilet and shower buildings remained threatened with closure because of the continued erosion.
“This planning and design effort is in response to the continued loss of infrastructure at the park due to Lake Superior wave action,” said Eric Cadeau, a DNR regional field planner. “The park master plan will provide a template for future development and infrastructure replacement over the next 60 years.”
The open house will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at the main pavilion at the park, which is located just west of the campground. The DNR will be providing a picnic lunch and refreshments beginning at noon.
The park is situated about 10 miles northwest of Hancock, off M-203.
“We encourage campers and day users to participate in this open house session to help shape the future development of the park,” said Jamie Metheringham, unit supervisor for McLain and Twin Lakes state parks. “At this session, participants will be able to learn more about each of the three park development concepts, and offer their input to the master planning process.”
For those unable to attend the public open house, but who would like to review the plans and contribute comments, visit www.michigan.gov/mclain or the McLain State Park headquarters. The open house will kick of a 15-day public comment period that will run through Aug. 27. The plan schematics will be posted on the webpage Aug. 13.
The total cost to develop the master plan was $77,653, with $40,000 of that amount funded by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant administered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Coastal Zone Management Program. The remaining $37,653 in costs was covered by the DNR’s Recreation Passport or Park Improvement funds.
“Once the master plan has been completed, Phase 1 design of critical infrastructure improvements at the park will begin immediately,” Cadeau said. “That design effort will cost an additional $70,443.”
Total Phase 1 planning, design and construction costs are estimated at roughly $1.25 million. Complete implementation of the park’s master plan is expected to cost between $4 million and $6 million.
Visitors to F.J. McLain State Park can enjoy a variety of activities in the park ranging from fishing, windsurfing, berry picking and beachcombing to camping, rock hounding, sight-seeing and hunting. The sunsets at McLain State Park are spectacular and the view of the lighthouse is magnificent.
Check out an F.J. McLain State Park visitors guide.
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Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to 102 Michigan state parks and more.
For more information on Michigan’s state parks, visit the DNR’s webpage.
