Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Thanks to over $500,000 in grant funding, Huron-Clinton Metroparks will provide launch site renovations and remove invasive species along the National Huron River Water Trail.

The Huron River is a national water trail encompassing 104-miles of inland paddling and exploring. From kayaking and canoeing to fishing and bird watching, officials say the Huron River is a treasure to cherish and care for and the grant funding is allowing the Metroparks to make good on its promises of access and stewardship.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) awarded the Huron-Clinton Metroparks two MDNR Trust Fund grants for renovation projects focused on accessibility and improved user experience on the Huron River. A $100,000 Planet Award grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation is allowing the Metroparks to also work on healing the headwaters of the Huron River.

Hudson Mills Metropark received $226,400 to support the redevelopment of the Rapids View area and Dexter-Huron Metropark received $192,800 to assist with the renovation of the launch site and picnic area. Both projects will improve accessibility using universal design principles. The Metroparks will match funds for both projects with $266,900 for Hudson Mills Metroparks and $192,800 Dexter-Huron Metropark.

At Rapids View, visitors will see a new upper parking lot and designated trailer parking spaces, a new turnaround drop-off for paddlers, overall launch renovations including accessibility features, picnic area and river overlook renovations, and more for visitors to enjoy. The project is said to be almost complete with just a few finishing touches needed and the area is now back open and available for use.

The project, slated for construction to begin in 2023, at Dexter-Huron Metropark includes a parking lot expansion for designated trailer parking and increased accessible spaces, new compacted gravel loading and unloading area, launch renovations with a new floating launch, and playground improvements.

Metroparks Director Amy McMillan says “Paddling is a great way to take in all of the beauty that the river has to offer, and we are thrilled to have two improved locations for our visitors to do just that. Grant funding like this allows us to leverage our existing budget to make even greater impacts in the community and continue improving our visitors’ experiences.”

Additionally, funding from the Consumers Energy Foundation will help with invasive species removal, tree plantings, and native prairie/meadow plugs and seed plantings at the river’s headwaters.

The headwaters of the Huron River are in Indian Springs Metropark at a heavily forested wetland called the Huron Swamp. The restoration will substantially improve important habitats that have been impacted by the loss of ash and oak trees and the subsequent expansion of invasive species to replace them. Community volunteers will aid in the collection of seed from intact park ecosystems guided by Metroparks staff. Students, scout troops, and other volunteers will also create and distribute native prairie seed balls.

The Metroparks will soon be putting out the call for volunteers to step forward as stewards and help support all of the work.