MARQUETTE — The Michigan Army National Guard’s 107th Engineer Battalion has been conducting engineer construction projects at Van Riper, Craig Lake, and McLain state parks and various state forest campgrounds and recreational facilities in Baraga County.

Soldiers assigned to the 1432nd Engineer Company, based in Kingsford and Gladstone, are participating in Innovative Readiness Training projects to assist the unit with building readiness. The projects offer hands-on experience for guard personnel in construction and maintenance, while also providing benefits to the parks and community.

At Van Riper State Park in Marquette County, soldiers are working to make electrical upgrades to the day-use toilet and concession buildings. If time and training allow there will also be some renovations made to storage buildings within the park’s service area to enhance the longevity of the structures.

At Craig Lake State Park, the Michigan Army National Guard are renovating the Caretaker’s Cabin, also known as the Small Cabin, within the park. This cabin is reservable during the summer months and will receive new siding, windows, asphalt shingles and interior upgrades.

There will also be some additional road work being completed within Craig Lake State Park, which includes main parking area expansion. Crews will also replace culverts in multiple locations and develop safety turnouts along roadways. The turnouts will offer visitors safer places to pull over on tight corners and hills with limited visibility.

At McLain State Park in Houghton County, soldiers participated in a community build program project led by Sinclair Recreation. The crew constructed a new, accessible playground. This new addition will offer a safe, interactive play area for children 5 to 12 years old.

At King Lake and Big Lake state forest campgrounds, the Parent Lake and Vermilac Lake boating access sites and the Baraga Plains ORV staging area, soldiers are improving road and parking lot areas. The projects will include adding gravel and grading at all locations.

During construction, the areas will be closed to the public. Please avoid these places areas to help eliminate safety concerns for yourself and working soldiers.

The DNR and the Michigan Army National Guard will be hosting a community engagement day today at Van Riper State Park. The event will be held in the day-use area and visitors will have the opportunity to see what has been accomplished through this partnership.

Most areas were scheduled to reopen today. Please call Van Riper State Park at 906-339-4461 or Baraga State Park at 906-353-6558 to check on the status for facility reopening.