At St. Clair County’s newest county park, those interested in learning more about what aquatic plants will get their chance early next month.
According to a news release from the county’s parks and recreation commission, Erica Clites, a Michigan Sea Grant extension educator, will lead a discussion on what kinds of plants grow underwater, their habitats and ecology at an event at North Channel County Park.
The event is set from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at the park and will include on-site assistance from the Lake St. Clair Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, or CISMA group.
“Freshwater ecosystems such as those found along the North Channel and in adjacent wetlands host many wildlife species,” Clites said in a statement Thursday, “and I look forward to exploring these underwater forests with workshop participants.”
Interested participants are encouraged to bring their own waders and lawn chairs, as well as quickly sign up for the program, which will be limited to the first 25 people to register by July 9 by contacting Kirsten Lyons at klyons@stclaircounty.org or (810) 989-6317.
Parking space is limited, and there are no restrooms on site.
North Channel Park itself is located 2431 Pointe Tremble Road, next door to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources boat launch in Clay Township.
It’s part of a yearslong and ongoing effort to establish the first beachfront park in that area of downriver St. Clair County. Two structures once on the associated 12 acres have been demolished, and the county closed on a $250,000 purchase of additional adjacent property in January over two years since four other parcels were picked up for $1.68 million.
A parking lot and a trailhead connecting to the Bridge to Bay Trail for visiting cyclists were the earliest improvements on tap to be made this year.
Future improvements are also set to include pathways, access to a nearby canal with a canoe and kayak launch, water observation and fishing decks, and if successful years down the road, a public beach.
"It’s important to understand that our county parks are each unique in their own way and each have their own diverse eco systems and micro environments," Dennis Delor, county parks and recreation director, said via email Friday. "Those natural features are a big part of what attracts visitors to our parks. From the Parks perspective, we have a obligation to maintain and protect those ecosystems and micro environments. We can do that through stewardship and programs like this, that create public awareness. These programs give insight on how we balance protecting the delicate natural areas while developing first class parks around them. A lot of forethought and planning for a new park begins with a assessment of the natural areas."
Contact reporter Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.
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