The Department of Natural Resources today announced the new boat launch at Tomahawk Creek Flooding State Forest Campground's West Unit has reopened for use. The newly upgraded campground adjacent to this launch will reopen next spring, at the beginning of the 2010 camping season. The campground is located in the southwest corner of Presque Isle County, 13 miles north of Atlanta off of M-33.

The West Unit boat launch now provides boaters with a single lane concrete ramp, skid pier, and hard-surface access drive and maneuver area, with an accessible car/trailer parking space near the launch ramp. Twenty-four additional car/trailer parking spaces have been provided in a nearby gravel lot, and an accessible foot path has been developed for easy access between the two areas.

The West Unit campground has been enlarged from 15 to 24 campsites, and includes two new unisex vault toilets, a new water well, and new tables and fire rings. This facility now complies with barrier-free design requirements.

"The reopening of the campground next spring will complete all planned improvements for this facility," said DNR Fire Officer Martin Osantowski.

Upgrades and the enlargement of the East Unit campground were completed and reopened for use earlier this summer. The campground that resided south of the East Unit is now closed, although the boat launch at this site will remain open for use.

"Even with this unit's closure, we have increased camping opportunities by enlarging the other two units' campgrounds," Osantowski said.

All improvements were funded with grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund, a Recreation Trail Grant, and with money from the Michigan State Waterways Program. Staff welcomes the public to check out the new boat launch and enjoy the newly renovated campground next spring.