New facilities open at the U.P. State Fairgrounds
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ESCANABA -- A ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted Wednesday to celebrate the recently constructed facilities at the DNR Pocket Park in Escanaba.
Attendees at the ribbon cutting included members of Cross General Contracting, the construction company that built the project; representatives of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce and U.P. State Fair Authority; Jon Mayes, DNR Recreation Grants Unit Manager; Merrie Carlock , DNR grant coordinator in the Upper Peninsula, Livingston and Oakland Counties; Senator Ed McBroom and County Commissioner Matthew Jensen who cut the ribbon.
The "ribbon" itself was a roll of toilet paper, chosen for its comedic relevance to the building being opened.
The new facilities include public bathrooms on the east end of the building and three showers on the west end. The project has been built to meet ADA requirements. Before the new structure was built, the site only had portable toilets. The building was constructed to provide better amenities to visitors camping at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
"We are so thrilled to be here today to help and celebrate, and be a part of this success that you have achieved with this structure to help all these campers here, and especially with the state fair going on," Jon Mayes said.
The new building was funded by the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund. This year, the fund is celebrating its 50-year anniversary of supporting local recreational projects across the state of Michigan.
Over the course of its existence, close to $1.4 billion has been given through the fund to state and local units of government to expand recreation opportunities for Michigan residents and visitors.