Nearly $15 Million in Improvements Coming to Lake St. Clair Metropark

We are excited to share that nearly $15 million in improvements will be completed at Lake St. Clair Metropark over the next three years. The following projects will reopen the long-awaited North Marina, dramatically expand accessibility across the park, add new trail connections, modernize aging infrastructure and advance sustainability initiatives that will keep Lake St. Clair Metropark vibrant for years to come. 

North Marina   The North Marina has been closed since 2019 due to infrastructure and utility damage caused by high water levels. This renovation will fully reopen the marina with 78 boat slips for transient docking — nearly doubling its existing capacity — and bring accessible floating finger docks back to the North Marina basin. Additional improvements include a dedicated fishing area on the west side of the lagoon, bollard-style lighting upgrades to reduce fishfly attraction, expanded picnic areas and a new fire pit.  Timing: This project is currently underway and is expected to be complete by Memorial Day 2027.   Funding: $5 million in state appropriations from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, $294,000 in a DNR Waterways grant to support engineering and at least $1.5 million in Metropark matching funds.
North Marina Bathhouse   The renovated North Marina Bathhouse will serve as the hub of the marina area, providing year-round family restrooms, updated shower and toilet facilities, a boater registration area, vending machines and accessible adult changing tables. The building’s location positions it as a key trailhead along the hike-bike trail and a gathering space for picnics and events. Accessible parking improvements and rerouted pedestrian walks will also improve overall traffic flow through the area.  Timing: This project is currently underway and expected to be complete by Memorial Day 2027.   Funding: $500,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and at least $1 million in Metropark matching funds
Upgrading the Electrical Grid  Lake St. Clair Metropark has historically had its own electrical equipment and lines. Metroparks is working with DTE to upgrade and replace 14,000 feet or 2.5 miles primary conductors and 14 transformers, shifting ownership and management of the grid to DTE. This modernization will reduce outages and operating costs for the Metroparks while significantly increasing electric reliability across the park.   Timing:  This project is underway and is expected to be complete by Memorial Day 2027.  Funding: $1,420,000 FEMA grant for disaster mitigation and $3.5 million in Metroparks matching funds
West Boardwalk  The West Boardwalk renovation will replace the existing decking to create a safer, more enjoyable waterfront experience for all visitors. The project also includes planting native trees and adding universally accessible picnic areas.  Timing: The project will be under construction in 2026 and expected to be completed in 2027.  Funding: $500,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with a $500,000 match from HCMA
Daysail Trail   This Daysail Trail project will add over a half-mile of accessible trail, completing a looped hike-bike trail through the park. The project will also add nearly three acres of native plant and tree plantings, the creation of two trailheads with amenities for bike and wheelchair repairs and water bottle filling stations and make improvements to the West Beach Picnic Shelter.  Timing: The project will be under construction in 2026 and is expected to be completed 2027.  Funding: $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant with a $500,000 match from HCMA
Greening Lot C  By removing over two acres of pavement and planting 55 trees in curbed parking lot islands, this project will improve stormwater management while maintaining all 484 parking spaces for park visitors. New vegetative swales added to existing drainage infrastructure will further reduce runoff and improve water quality, advancing the Metroparks’ environmental sustainability goals.  Timing: The project is currently underway and is expected to be completed in summer 2026.   Funding:  $1,500,000 High Water Infrastructure Grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, with at least $1.5 million in matching funds from HCMA.