PARADISE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Following years of construction across different viewpoints at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, its most recently completed project defeats decades of inaccessibility to the brink of the beloved waterfall.
The falls’ new accessible boardwalk features 1,000 feet of 8% decline ramping, including five switchback landings, each fit with benches that will soon have interpretive displays throughout. While in a dense forested area, protecting as much vegetation as possible was at the forefront of the design.
“When we had the opportunity to do a fully accessible structure, making it accessible was the greatest challenge,” said Park Manager, Kevin Dennis. “The observation deck structure itself is generally in the same place as the old deck was, it’s actually cantilevered and a little closer to the brink itself.”
No heavy machinery was allowed due to the 60-foot decline to the deck, meaning the project was almost all done by hand.
“It’s an engineering marvel,” said long-time visitor, Ruthann Dean.
“I had mixed thoughts when I first heard about this project,” explained her husband and former park manager, James Dean. “I envisioned losing a lot of trees and a really long walk but we handled it, at least on the way down,” he laughed. “I’m impressed with the detail that they put into it.”
Since it’s completion, park management says its feedback has been nothing short of positive.
“I talked to a gentleman this morning with a mobility scooter saying he didn’t think he would get to see the brink deck again, and there he was,” said Dennis. “We’ve heard the same sort of thing lots of times over the past couple of weeks, the response has been tremendous.”
Funding for the project was derived from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) at the height of the pandemic, where the park received about $6.5 million for its list of projects, utilizing $1.5 for the intricate boardwalk.
“This boardwalk is really a signature project of the ARPA funding, otherwise it wouldn’t have happened,” said Dennis. “Folks were itching to get down here again and have this experience, so it feels good to be ready to move forward.”
The falls are open every day from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Full details can be found at michigan.gov.
