Long Rapids Township Park Parking and Water Access Improvements

Long Rapids Township in Alpena County is home to Long Rapids Township Park, a 7.5-acre park with approximately 1,350 feet of river frontage along the Thunder Bay River. The existing canoe launch at the park was more than 20 years old and deteriorating. The park also had no defined parking spaces and no accessible walkways.

The Township was awarded a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant for improvements to the park, which included a new accessible canoe/kayak launch and a fishing/wildlife viewing platform. The accessible canoe/kayak launch has a transfer bench and boat roller system and the accessible fishing dock has lowered railings. The project also included a paved pathway from the new parking lot to the launch and the creation of accessible parking spaces as well as a boardwalk with educational signage all located along the Thunder Bay River. Spicer Group was responsible for grant writing, grant administration, survey, permitting, design, and construction administration on this project. The project was completed in the summer of 2018 on time and on budget.