What’s happening: Work is underway at
Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park, a 75-acre park on the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay. A multi-year, $8.5 million enhancement project will see temporary closures of the park’s modern campground at various points throughout 2025 and 2026.
What’s planned: Several improvements are planned as part of the $8.5 million project, the funding of which was secured through former President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Planned improvements include a new park entrance that reduces traffic congestion; a new accessible campground contact station; and a new park headquarters to be located south of Mitchell Creek. Additional improvements include razing a non-accessible pedestrian bridge that spans U.S. 31, which is to be replaced with an at-grade pedestrian crossing and traffic signal.
How it starts: Tree removal marks the opening of the project’s first phase this month, as work crews take out trees in designated areas that include the park entrance and the back of the northwest campsites. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that it will prioritize saving mature trees during construction, and institute a tree replanting program in those areas.
Why that’s important: “To protect the park’s remaining trees and reduce the risk of oak wilt disease, tree removal must take place in the winter months, outside of the growing season,” says Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor. “The timing is crucial for the long-term health of park trees.”
No camping: The park’s modern campground area has closed as of Monday, Jan. 13, and will remain closed until Tuesday, April 1. The campground will then close again from July 7, 2025, through the end of the 2026 camping season. The park’s day-use area will remain open throughout construction.
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