An improved destination for residents and visitors to enjoy Michigan’s Lake St. Clair is underway. The City of St. Clair Shores is renovating one of their lakeside parks to provide more amenities for residents and better access to the Nautical Mile business district, while addressing climate resiliency concerns. The improvements include extending the pier an additional 400 feet into Lake St. Clair to provide passive recreational opportunities including fishing, improved lake viewing and mooring of commercial boats.

ECT developed the concept and final design and construction documents for all aspects of the project. The design features an elevated boardwalk, raised seawall to address higher lake levels, roadway rehabilitation for better drainage and with lanes dedicated for non-motorized transportation, and universal design to improve accessibility and accommodations for all visitors.

The amenities at the park are receiving much appreciated updates which include accessible fishing platforms for all ages, welcoming picnic areas, improved seating for lake viewing, pedestrian lighting for safety, a new railing system, shade structures out on the pier, bicycle and scooter parking, shade trees and landscaping. Burial of the overhead utility lines improved the overall visual quality of the park.  These site improvements complement the newly renovated beach house which has already resulted in increased recreational programming and community events at the park.

Design and engineering were completed in June 2021 and construction will be substantially completed in Fall of 2022.

This work complements ECT’s 20-year relationship with the City of St. Clair Shores, which has included stormwater permitting, green infrastructure design, and site assessment/remediation services.