Fort
Historic
Mackinac Island
Colonial
Old Mackinac
Historic
Mill Creek|
|
The Forest Canopy Bridge under construction on January 7, 2008. More information about Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park:  
  Previous Posts
POST, April 29, 2008 Safety fencing is currently being installed at the entrance and exit areas of the bridge. POST, February 6, 2008 The structural elements of the Forest Canopy Bridge are now finished. Ropes Courses, Inc., of Allegan , Michigan , owned by Jim Liggett, completed this during the second week of January. During this time, the lumber for the walking base was installed. This consists of a 4” x 4” post horizontally anchored down the center span of the bridge with a 2” x 12” board mounted on the top for the walking surface. The bridge was then adjusted and leveled both side-to-side and vertically east to west by lengthening and shortening of the vertical cables. Next, the knotted rope bracing was installed. The rope bracing runs on an angle from the side hand hold cable to the walking surface, and plays a role in the stiffening of the bridge. Counterweights, now installed in steel safety tubes, are anchored in place. This spring, the remaining elements of the bridge will be completed, including the final sandblasting and painting of the structural supports, completion of the walking surface around the bridge, and final landscaping. These final touches will be completed by early June. The bridge and the other elements of the Treetop Discovery Tour (which includes the Eagle’s Flight Zip Line), Water Power Station and children’s Forest Friends Play Area will be open on May 5, opening day at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park . In addition, all features of the park enjoyed by visitors throughout the years are still available and appreciated, including an 18th-century water-powered sawmill, a sawpit with demonstrations, a nature program, recently upgraded and easily accessible scenic nature trail system, and the tranquility and beauty of the park. Look for more updates as they continue. The bridge is not yet open to the public because it is still a construction zone with obvious dangers, but we look forward to seeing you on May 5. Thanks to Mackinac Associates, the Mackinac State Historic Parks’ non-profit friends group, for sponsoring the bridge! POST, January 7, 2008 Now near completion, the Forest Canopy Bridge proves to be an impressive sight. Mackinac State Historic Parks’ operations unit and Ropes Courses, Inc., owned by Jim and Michelle Liggett, have worked tirelessly on its construction since the operations unit first poured the footings in late November. Mike Sutton, our mainland park manager and the construction supervisor on our end of things, said that there were 84 yards of concrete poured, split between the two footings. They put 2,000 pounds of rebar inside the concrete to give it strength. After that, Jim’s crew arrived with a forklift and a trailer of steel. The two bridge supports and other materials were unloaded, and it was an impressive sight seeing those large bridge supports moved up a steep hill via forklift to the construction site, and then quickly put in place. The speed at which this was done was amazing. After the bridge supports were in place, Jim’s crew strung the cables onto the supports, and then the job of stringing the cable across a deep ravine was tackled. As snow fell and continued to accumulate, construction progressed through December. By late December, decking was installed and leveled. In the spring, Mike said that the walkway entrance to the bridge will be dressed up with trail surface mix and gravel. Once the bridge opens, it’ll be an impressive sight, looking down from the forest canopy to Mill Creek below. It is not yet open to the public because it is still a construction zone with obvious dangers, but we look forward to seeing you on May 5. Thanks to Mackinac Associates, the Mackinac State Historic Parks’ non-profit friends group, for sponsoring the bridge! Stay tuned for more bridge construction progress posts. |
Plan Your Visit  |
 |