Visitors to Wilderness State Park can take advantage of several recently completed barrier-free improvements – all designed to help more Michiganders enjoy the outdoors at this Emmet County park.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating these enhancements is set for 11 a.m. Thursday, May 23, at 903 Wilderness Park Drive in Carp Lake. The public and media both are invited to see and hear about the park’s new recreation features, including:

• A barrier-free campground registration building.
• A barrier-free toilet/shower building in the Lakeshore Campground (with a second one planned to be built in a few years).
• Walkway surface improvements.
• Mobile access mats and a floating water chair to make beach and water access easier for persons of all mobility levels.
• A wide range of barrier-free rustic, modern and full hook-up campsites developed to provide a wider range of camper amenities.

“The DNR is excited to cut the ribbon and officially dedicate the park's new barrier-free enhancements,” said Burr Mitchell, park supervisor. "Without the fundraising efforts of the Disabilities Network of Northern Michigan, the generosity of our park patrons and the hard work of multiple youth work groups, these important enhancements could not have been achieved.”

The project was funded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the fundraising efforts of the Disabilities Network of Northern Michigan, user fees and donations from park patrons.

Wilderness State Park is located on Carp Lake at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula. The park is home to wilderness areas, 26 miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, multiple campgrounds, six rustic cabins, three rustic bunkhouses and numerous year-round recreational activities.

For more information, contact Burr Mitchell, park supervisor, at 231-436-5040
MitchellB3@michigan.gov.

Contact: Burr Mitchell, 231-436-5040