MUSKEGON, Mich. - A project to restore a habitat for fish and animals at Muskegon's Veterans Memorial Park has some wondering if the park is open for the Memorial Day Weekend.
The short answer is yes. The park is open for the holiday weekend.
At one time the park was referred to as "Michigan's Most Beautiful Mile."
Lately it looks more like a construction site.
A big piece of the habitat restoration project at the park was reconnecting the park's ponds to the Muskegon River. Portions of the federally funded work started in 2014, and it should be completed by September.
Workers have already removed tall invasive plants from the edge of the park's ponds.
"You couldn't see the attributes of the park," said Lupe Alviar Jr. Chairman of Veteran's Memorial Park Causeway.
High water and heavy rain in May have workers behind schedule.
"This project is not done," said Kathy Evans, Environmental Program Manager at West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.
Right now high water has some portions of the park's walkways under water. "Some of the pathways will be raised. We will be raising the approach to the bridge to the island."
The water level of the park's ponds will now match water levels on the Muskegon River and Lake Michigan.
The connection to the Muskegon River means the park's fish population will improve.
"So the fish have come back, and they're coming back quickly," said Brian Majka, Restoration Ecologist G.E.I. Consultants.
For now the bright orange construction fence along the edge of the ponds will remain to protect new native plants from geese and other animals. It will eventually be removed.
Most of the time the water level on the park's ponds will be much lower than it has been in May. But during wet periods the park will be able to handle high water without damage.
"I would say the park is functioning as designed," said Majka. "It is exactly what we had hoped to see."
More than 100 memorial plaques have been stored. Those will be returned to the park after the water recedes and the constructions work finishes.
And while it might not look the best today, the park is open. "The park is going to be beautiful. It is going to tolerate high water and low water for many many years to come," said Evans.
The Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership is offering a public tour of the parks' improvements on June 5 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.