Loon Lake Nature Park

Loon Lake Park located along M-65 north of Hale, is rich in natural resources and has access to both Mud Lake and Loon Lake. Spicer Group has been working with Plainfield Township on projects with the park for nearly 20 years. The Township recieved a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Trust Fund Grant in 2006 for $332,000 to develop a boat launch, overlook decks on both lakes, pathways, a restroom, pavilion, and parking spaces. In 2009, the Township received a $428,400 MDNR Trust Fund grant for land acquisition of 100 acres adjacent to the park.

In 2016, the Township received an MDNR Trust Fund development grant from for $140,000 to develop a one-mile-long trail route through the park property. By then, the trail had been adopted as Phase 2 of the IET, and into the Iron Belle Trail route.

To save on overall costs of the pathway, Spicer Group engineers designed a six-foot-wide path made of crushed stone. The trail travels through the forest between Mud Lake and Loon Lake, traveling near Wild Cherry Lane, before turning north and connecting to a new trailhead along Kokosing Road with a trailhead parking lot. The project also features benches, rest areas, and interpretive signs, along with trash and recycling receptacles.

Spicer Group was responsible for all grant writing, administration, surveying, design, bidding assistance, permitting, construction administration, and construction inspection on these projects.