Loon Lake Path Improvements

Plainfield Township is home to the 121-acre Loon Lake Park, located along M-65, which has access to Mud Lake and Loon Lake. Spicer Group has been working with the Township on projects to provide passive recreational opportunities while preserving the park’s natural habitat for over a decade.

In 2016, Spicer assisted the Township with applying for a $140,000 Trust Fund development grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop a six-foot-wide, one-mile-long, non-motorized trail route made of crushed stone and boardwalk. The trail, which connects to existing walking paths at the park’s south end and a trailhead to the north at Kokosing Road, is also part of the 38-mile-long Iosco Exploration Trail and the Iron Belle Trail. The project features benches, rest areas, and interpretive signs, along with trash and recycling receptacles near the parking lot.

In 2006, Spicer worked with Plainfield Township in obtaining a $332,000 DNR Trust Fund grant to turn 12-acres between Loon and Mud Lakes into a recreation area.  Spicer designed a 520’ long universally accessible boardwalk that spans through a low-lying woodland area and across a marsh habitat to a fishing and wildlife viewing platform at Mud Lake. Other improvements include a nature trail, a boat ramp, another universally-accessible fishing platform, pavilion, restroom and parking area.

Spicer’s team was responsible for all grant administration, surveying, design, permitting, bidding assistance, construction administration, and construction inspection for all phases of the project.

Spicer also worked with the Township to obtain a $428,400 DNR Trust Fund acquisition grant.  We then assisted the Township with grant administration and acquisition for 100 acres of land that was acquired for Loon Lake Park.