Jones Landing ParkBear Creek Township, Michigan

Bear Creek Township developed a new park on Walloon Lake in Emmet County. Gosling Czubak designed the park facilities, including a new boat launch, beach facility, restrooms, and park pavilion, all designed to provide park users with universal access. Improvements were arranged to take advantage of views of the lake. A park pavilion created for picnics and family use overlooks the lake, along with other picnic areas. Additional amenities included paved parking for park users and boat trailers, and restroom facilities. To protect the lake, stormwater runoff was controlled by the use of permeable pavers and construction of bio-swales to retain and treat runoff.

The project developed over several years with Bear Creek Township purchasing the three-acre site in 2007 with help from an MNRTF grant. Using another MDNR development grant, Michigan Waterways Commission Grant-in Aid funding, and township funds, the total of park improvements was nearly $1.0M.