Spark grant funds upgrades at Little Trout Lake

What’s happening:  One of Marquette County’s few county parks will be getting a major upgrade after Little Trout Lake Park in KI Sawyer received a Michigan DNR Spark grant to improve the area. The project includes multiple upgrades to buildings, adding additional safety and security measures, increasing ADA accessibility and increasing non-motorized trails around the lake. It is one of the largest lakes open entirely to the public in the Central U.P.

How is it funded: The Marquette County Planning Division obtained a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Spark grant for almost $1 million dollars. Working with local groups like the Sawyer Community Alliance, the county planning division received $997,000 for the work, which will also coordinate with other existing projects to improve the roofs of the existing pavilions. 

What they’re saying: “Little Trout Lake is a wonderful resource to the KI Sawyer community and all of Marquette County. It’s a beautiful, natural lake, but the grounds have fallen into disrepair over the years,” said Bob Struck, chairman of the Sawyer Community Alliance. “It took a while to get everything set up, but these are very good plans for one of Marquette County’s premiere destinations.” 

What’s next: Work will continue on the pavilions as the outdoor construction season wraps up for 2023. Improvements will take place in spring to get the rest of the area finished.