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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
PERE MARQUETTE CHARTER TOWNSHIP — The first phase in the development of the Pere Marquette Conservation Park opened to the public Friday during a special ribbon cutting ceremony. The Pere Marquette River Community Access offers barrier-free access to the river, along with ample parking, boarder walkways, a pavilion, bathrooms and a fish-cleaning station.
The access is located along Pere Marquette Highway at the Conrad Road intersection.
Pere Marquette Charter Township Supervisor Kelly Smith said the primary focus of the project was to develop a site with universal access to Lake Michigan, Pere Marquette Lake and the Pere Marquette River.
“The Pere Marquette River Community Access site provides boating and shore-based access to the mouth of the PM River adjacent to PM Highway,” Smith said. “The project addresses long standing safety hazards with people parking along PM Highway to access this popular salmon, steelhead and resident species fishery. Historically, anglers parked along the PM Highway adjacent to the site and then trespassed on what was once Dow Chemical property to access this fishery. Aside from the trespass issues, it has long been recognized to be a safety hazard and there was no access whatsoever for the disabled community. PM Township’s first priority since acquiring the site from Dow through the Natural Resource Trust Fund program in 2021 was to make this outstanding Great Lakes fishery safely and universally available to all.
“The Great Lakes Fishery Trust grant funded the 200-foot long stream-side boardwalk fishing structure, which incorporates two fishing decks, accessibility features, bench seating and tackle boxes. The efforts to meet universal access objectives with the boardwalk/fishing deck structure were a key component; and together with the fully accessible site support facilities, including the boat ramp, restrooms, the fish cleaning station, picnic shelter and the parking and access pathways, provide an outstanding outdoor recreation opportunity. This ensures that the facilities and the resulting fishing and wildlife viewing will be available for all users to enjoy.”
The river access is part of the 300 acres of land along the Pere Marquette Lake and Pere Marquette River that was once owned by Dow Chemical. The property was purchased from Dow by the township in 2017 with the aid of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. Additional funding for the purchase was supplied by Pennies from Heaven Foundation, Tom Paine of Metalworks, and various community foundations.
The acreage is bounded by Pere Marquette Lake, Pere Marquette Highway, Iris Road and Lakeshore Drive. The entire area is approximately 1.3 miles wide and half mile deep. It includes frontage on Pere Marquette Lake, the Pere Marquette River, and a small portion on Lake Michigan.
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