A multi-year project to revitalize the riverfront at Merrill Park is taking shape, with engineering work largely complete and a grant application pathway identified. The Comstock Township Parks and Recreation Commission heard an update at its June 8 meeting from a representative of Prein & Newhof, the engineering firm leading the planning effort.
The project as currently scoped would transform 550 feet of shoreline with natural plantings, rebuild the existing concrete boat launch, add floating docks and a kayak launch, improve ADA access to riverside seating areas, install a privacy fence along the west property line, and resurface the parking lot. The total project estimate currently stands at $430,000, which includes construction, engineering, permitting, and a 10% contingency.
State Approvals Already in Hand
Because Merrill Park sits entirely within a floodplain, any work along the shoreline requires state permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) under Parts 301 and 31. The Township has already completed a pre-application meeting with EGLE, which indicated support for the natural shoreline approach. The Michigan DNR was also consulted and expressed support — DNR conservation staff offered to write letters of recommendation for the project. The DNR also noted the presence of native mussel species in the area and said their staff would conduct surveys and relocate any species before construction begins.
Prein & Newhof conducted a topographic survey of the shoreline and used sonar from a rowboat to map the river’s cross-section as part of the background work.
Floating Docks and a Safer Kayak Launch
The current boat launch has a steep drop-off that has raised safety concerns among users. The proposal addresses this with floating docks — which rise and fall with the river level on driven piers — and a kayak launch bay positioned away from shallower areas, with a long walkway providing a safer entry point into the water.
Grant Path and Timeline
The recommended funding route is the DNR trust fund grant program, which would cover approximately 75% of project costs. That would leave the Township responsible for a match of roughly $100,000 to $125,000, depending on final design decisions. The target application window is April 2027, with a final grant determination expected in December 2027.
Prein & Newhof has assisted other Michigan communities with similar applications and would be available to help Comstock Township prepare its submission.
The commission’s next step is spending the coming year finalizing specific design decisions — dock configurations, layout, and other features — before submitting. Public input will be required as part of the grant application process.
