Thanks to $273 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act 68 planned improvement projects at state parks have been completed or are in progress.

This includes several state parks located in the Upper Peninsula.

They include:

Fayette Historic State Park (Delta County) used a proposed $3.05 million in ARPA funding for a number of significant upgrades throughout the park, including the replacement of all five drain fields and improvements to the accessible walkway and restroom at the visitor center, as well as enhancements to the historic townsite early last summer.

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park’s (Keweenaw County) modern campground now features a new toilet and shower building in the west loop as of this past June. These improvements, alongside upcoming electrical and campsite upgrades in the east loop later this summer, were funded by a proposed $1.68 million in ARPA funds.

Thanks to a proposed $350,000 in ARPA funding, an on-site wastewater treatment lagoon rehabilitation project was completed last summer in McLain State Park (Houghton County).

Last summer, Muskallonge Lake State Park (Luce County) completed a new toilet and shower building in its modern campground, significantly enhancing services for campers. This project is part of a proposed $2.175 million in ARPA funding that also includes construction of an accessible boardwalk and path to Lake Superior and road paving.

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon and Gogebic counties) Visitor Center reopened in late June following a major renovation that features new, accessible amenities and updated restrooms, among other enhancements. These improvements are part of a proposed $6.125 million in ARPA funding that also delivered earlier upgrades, including an expanded Summit Peak parking lot, renovations to the historic service area, modern lodge and staff quarters, upgrades to the sewage system, and paving of roads and parking lots at the park headquarters and visitor center.

Upgraded water and electrical systems now greet visitors at Tahquamenon Falls State Park’s (Chippewa County) modern campground this past June. These renovations, including a soon-to-be fully accessible boardwalk at the Upper Falls and a new toilet and shower building in the Lower Falls modern campground last summer, were supported by a proposed $3.275 million in ARPA funding.