Conservancy Assists with Indian River Park

Great news for those who enjoy the Inland Waterway and enjoy recreating near Indian River in Cheboygan County! Thanks to a partnership between the Conservancy, Tuscarora Township, and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Tuscarora Township Park will soon become a link between the rivers, the town, and the Cheboygan to Gaylord recreational trail.

Located in downtown Indian River at the confluence of the Indian and Little Sturgeon Rivers, the park’s location is directly adjacent to the recreational trail. This public resource will provide trail users and waterway users an opportunity to launch boats from or stop off in Indian River.

The Conservancy’s role in the park’s completion was to assist Tuscarora Township with their Trust Fund application and acquisition. The Trust Fund is a pool of money, provided through state gas and mineral reserves, that is used to protect land for public enjoyment. The Conservancy purchased two of the four properties that will compose the park, holding them until the Trust Fund grant monies become available for reimbursement. Of the remaining two properties, one property was donated by the owner, and another was purchased by a private individual who will sell it to the township once the grant is secured.

"We’re grateful that Conservancy supporters have allowed us to create a revolving land protection fund that can be used precisely for projects just like this one," Conservancy Executive Director Tom Bailey said.

Tuscarora Township plans to work with the Department of Natural Resources to place a boat launch, boat slips, and parking spaces at the site. Up until now, inland waterway users haven’t been able to conveniently access downtown Indian River from the water.

"I’m very excited about this project!" said Eric Jacobson, Tuscarora Township Supervisor. "Incorporating the Marina Park Project with the existing DNR Trail will make downtown Indian River the gateway for year round outdoor recreation."

"It is neat to see a project that both the locals and the DNR wholeheartedly support and can work together on," Bailey added.