By Krystal Moralee
At a new park in Ira Township, visitors will be able to take in views of Swan Creek from an accessible treehouse.
The treehouse will be the centerpiece of the first phase of development on 99 acres of parkland the township acquired in December 2022. It will be the county’s second public treehouse designed with accessibility in mind, following the example of the Pine River Nature Center in Goodells.
“Many years ago, we provided grant funding for a treehouse at the Pine River Nature Center, and the public response was so enthusiastic. We’re thankful for the visionary work of our friends in Ira Township and happy to provide financial support when we’re able to bring another treehouse to fruition in the southern part of our county,” said Randy Maiers, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
Similar to working with funding partners and local donors on the Pine River project, the Foundation helped Ira Township through consulting support and connections with local donors. Consulting support helped the township secure a $150,000 Recreation Passport Grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The township committed $125,000, and the Foundation provided a $25,000 challenge grant. Local donors contributed about $28,000 more for possible improvements or unexpected costs.
Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Babisz said protecting the land has been part of the township’s vision from the start. The goal was to preserve its natural character while giving people a chance to experience it.
Working with Community Foundation consultant Nancy Winzer and engineer Doug Schultz of ROWE Professional Services, the township began developing a preliminary plan for the property. When Winzer encouraged them to think big about the new park, Babisz knew exactly what she wanted.
“She kept telling me, ‘Wish big,’” Babisz recalled. “I said, ‘Treehouse. An accessible treehouse.’ That was one of the first things I wished for, and everybody loved the idea.”
Modeled after the Pine River treehouse on a smaller scale, the Ira Township structure will welcome visitors who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations. Plans call for wide, crushed limestone trails that provide a firm surface and fit the natural setting. A series of gently rising ramps is expected to lead visitors to an elevated viewing platform.
The property at 8855 Shortcut Road caught township officials’ attention for its mix of natural areas. At the northern end, a forest gives way to wetlands along Swan Creek. Farther south, the creek flows into Anchor Bay, linking the property to waterways that include the St. Johns Marsh and Russell Island Loop water trails. The park could also connect to the regional Bridge to Bay Trail in the future.
“The goal is to try to get a nice overlook into the bay and some of the winding, meandering Swan Creek that’s below the site,” said Doug Schultz, the project engineer.
Babisz hopes the treehouse will host school groups, nature workshops, and outdoor learning programs. Making the park accessible to everyone is central to those plans.
“All of my life that I’ve been working with parks and recreation, that’s been one of our main goals – to make it universally accessible to everyone,” she said.
The treehouse will be the first major addition to the property, but the township has a broader vision for the park. First-phase plans include accessible pathways linking parking areas, picnic facilities, the treehouse, and nature trails. Trails through the woods and along Swan Creek will offer hiking, biking, birdwatching, and winter cross-country skiing. Kayaking and canoeing on Swan Creek may be considered as the park develops.
Protecting the property’s natural areas remains a priority. Plans include a rain garden and a pollinator garden near the treehouse. Signs will explain how native plants support wildlife and help protect the environment.
The project is expected to be completed around August 2027.
The treehouse will give more people a chance to enjoy views of Swan Creek and the project as a whole shows the power of philanthropic support coming together to provide a local community resources for a project on their wish list– a place where people of all abilities can experience the land Ira Township set out to protect.
To learn how the Community Foundation of St. Clair County helps bring local projects to life, or how you can support work like this, contact Natacha Hayden or visit www.stclairfoundation.org.