Lake St. Clair Metropark in Michigan is receiving nearly $15 million USD in improvements over the next three years, with work focused on reopening the North Marina and improving facilities, access, infrastructure and sustainability across the park.
After high water levels caused damage to its infrastructure and utilities, the North Marina has remained closed since 2019. It is now under renovation and is scheduled to fully reopen with 78 transient docking slips, nearly doubling its existing capacity.
The project will also restore floating finger docks to the North Marina basin, and add a dedicated fishing area on the west side of the lagoon, bollard-style lighting to reduce fishfly attraction, expanded picnic areas and a new fire pit.
Funding for the renovation includes $5 million in state appropriations from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a $294,000 DNR Waterways grant for engineering and at least $1.5 million in Metropark matching funds.
At the same time, the North Marina Bathhouse is also being renovated and will provide year-round family restrooms, updated showers and toilets, a boater registration area, vending machines and accessible adult changing tables. It will also serve as a trailhead along the hike-bike trail and a gathering space for picnics and events.
The bathhouse project is supported by a $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and at least $1 million in Metropark matching funds.
Other work across the wider Lake St. Clair Metropark includes improvements to the park’s electrical system and West Boardwalk, an extension of the Daysail Trail and changes to Lot C aimed at improving stormwater management and retaining its parking spaces.
