State parks system

Hall Lake Dam, located in Yankee Springs Recreation Area in Barry County, has been classified as a significant hazard dam by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This classification indicates that dam failure could cause economic and environmental damage, or disrupt essential services downstream, though loss of life is unlikely.

To address dam deficiencies, the DNR, in partnership with EGLE, will implement a solution using funding from a recent EGLE Dam Risk Reduction Grant. This proposed solution will involve lowering the lake's elevation while still preserving an outdoor recreation lake experience at a new, lower lake elevation.

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The public was invited to a March 12, 2025 public information session and to provide feedback via an online form, which closed March 19. Thank you for your valuable input. The DNR is now reviewing comments and feedback.

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• Read press release (Feb. 26, 2025)
• Read press release (June 27, 2024)

Visitors can soon look forward to planned improvements to Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park's modern campground and day-use area entrance, and the Three Mile Road/U.S. 31 intersection. A proposed $8.5 million in federal relief funding from Gov. Whitmer's Building Michigan Together Plan made these and other renovations possible.

In 2011, a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant was approved to enable the acquisition of the property south of the campground to improve park circulation. Subsequently, the planned improvements were largely driven by feedback from the 2021 general management planning process, as detailed in the Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park General Management Plan.

State park enhancements - Significant park enhancements will improve access, camping amenities and facilities. View site plan »

• Redesigned the entrance: Reduces vehicle backups, improves campsite access.
• New accessible contact station: Safe traffic flow and customer service.
• Relocated outdated park headquarters: Improved workspace for staff. Minimize visitors' views of the park's work area and equipment.
• Expanded and relocated sanitation station: Doubles in size. Reduces wait times, improves vehicle flow.

DNR-Michigan Department of Transportation pedestrian crossing enhancements - The DNR has partnered with MDOT to help address longstanding concerns, including safe pedestrian crossing between the campground and day-use area and vehicle congestion. The following enhancements are planned:

• Installation of a new vehicular traffic signal to optimize traffic flow for vehicles entering and exiting the campground.
• Replacement of the existing non-ADA-compliant pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31 with an at-grade pedestrian crossing that meets current ADA standards. The highly visible crossing will be a standard pedestrian similar to other lighted intersections in the corridor, including painted stripes and a traffic signal that stops all U.S. 31 traffic with a traffic signal to ensure safe pedestrian passage.

A number of factors supported the need for these planned enhancements, including:

• The 1966 pedestrian bridge is deteriorating, nearing the end of its useful lifespan, and not ADA-compliant. This creates accessibility challenges, especially for pushing strollers, carrying coolers, etc. Some campground patrons opt to drive between the campground and the day-use area, increasing traffic congestion and using limited beach parking.
• Constructing a new ADA-compliant bridge, with 220 feet of switchback ramps at an 8% slope, presents significant drawbacks. Extending the route by 440 feet, it would drastically impair the campground's shoreline view, a stark contrast to the currently proposed 60-foot at-grade crossing.
• Preserving the bridge would prevent the installation of a new vehicular traffic signal and other park and intersection vehicular circulation improvements due to sight lines.
• Reconfiguring the existing bridge for ADA compliance is impractical due to its age and deteriorated condition.
• Replacing the bridge with an ADA-compliant bridge would cost an estimated $20 million and would incur higher long-term maintenance costs.

MDOT enhancements - MDOT is investing approximately $1.6 million to improve the Three Mile Road/U.S. 31 intersection.

Questions - If you have any questions about the project, please contact DNR Parks and Recreation Cadillac District Supervisor Kasey Cline.