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Mackinaw City, Mich. — Adventurers and nature enthusiasts now have even more reason to add Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park to their 2008 vacation plans. Mackinac State Historic Parks announces two more new features under construction at its 625-acre nature park and historic site: a 40-foot high climbing wall that is also a vertical nature trail; and a 50-foot high tower that will offer a spectacular view of the Straits of Mackinac and Mackinac Island. These elements join a list of many other fun natural history features currently under construction at the park.

            The Nature Trail Climbing Wall will become the third experience in the thrilling new “Adventure Tour,” which will also include a trek through the treetops on the nearly completed Forest Canopy Bridge and the soaring opportunity of the Eagle’s Flight Zip Line. The “Adventure Tour” costs $5 in addition to park admission. The climbing wall, attached to the side of the 50-foot tower, is a fun and exciting opportunity to test brain and brawn by ascending a vertical nature trail through “layers of the forest.” The wall will contain interactive panels that will open climbers’ senses to nature, including sounds and sight of forest creatures. By activating buttons along the way, climbers will hear the song of a chickadee, the call of a rose-breasted grosbeak, and the scream of a hawk. They will see holes made by sapsuckers, chrysalis of caterpillars, and tiny ladybugs. Auto-belay harnesses are provided for automatic, safe and slow descent down the climbing wall.

            Set on the park’s eastern bluff, the Treetop Discovery Tower is being constructed for the 2008 season. The five-story tower will be a hub for natural history learning, and will offer a majestic view of the Straits of Mackinac and Mackinac Island. At ground level, visitors can learn from interpretive presentations about the dynamic habitat between the forest floor and the top of the trees. At the top of the tower, they find out about the amazing recovery of the American bald eagle.

Many other new features, including the Forest Canopy Bridge and Eagle’s Flight Zip Line, are nearly complete and set to open to the public on May 5. The Forest Friends Play Area, an activity center containing large, climbable animal sculptures and touchable animal tracks, and the Water Power Station, a splashy play and learning center of 18^th-century water wheel replicas, are currently under construction and scheduled for completion before opening day.

“These new programs and features are designed to help our visitors learn about the park's historic and natural history in a fun and active way,” said Jeff Dykehouse, curator of natural history at Mackinac State Historic Parks. “In addition, the park's miles of nature trails, complete with interpretive displays, scenic overlooks, and trail-side benches also provide many opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the park's tranquil and natural beauty.”

Additions to the park have taken place since its first opening in 1984, including the reconstruction of the Millwright’s House and nature trail improvements. Mackinac State Historic Parks is also continuing to make the east side creek trail barrier-free and accessible to all members of the public.

While improvements to the park are made, all features enjoyed by visitors throughout the years will continue to be available and appreciated, including an 18^th-century water-powered sawmill with demonstrations, a sawpit with demonstrations, a nature program, 3.5 miles of nature trails, wildlife, flora and fauna, and the tranquility and beauty of the park itself.

Visit www.mackinacparks.com for more information on all elements currently under construction at the park.

 

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a pure Michigan family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Its sites—which are accredited by the American Association of Museums—include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park, and Historic Downtown on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks’ rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at 231-436-4100 or on the web at www.MackinacParks.com.