Commissioners select architect firm for $375K improvement project

CASS COUNTY — An effort to make several improvements to the riverside grounds of Arthur Dodd Memorial Park took a step forward last week.

The Cass County Board of Commissioners chose M.C. Smith Associates and Architectural Group to provide architectural and engineering services for the $375,000 Dodd Park Water Trail Development Project.

M.C. Smith, which provided the lowest of the three bids the county received, will be paid $29,600.

Parks Director Scott Wyman said he expects the Kalamazoo-based company will begin working on the landscape design within a month.

He said physical work would begin either late this year or early next year and that the project would likely be finished before the end of 2017.

“We are excited to move forward,” Wyman said. “Dodd Park constitutes about 90 percent of the public access to the Dowagiac River, so it is only going to improve access to this very popular body of water.”

Cass County was selected as the recipient of a $375,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund, which will be used to pay for various improvements to the Niles park ground, located next to the Dowagiac River. The DNR will provide $277,500 worth of funding for the project, with the county fronting a 26-percent match, amounting to $97,500.

Among the planned upgrades to the 51-acre park is the establishment of a water trail along the river, complete with a new universally assessable kayak and canoe launch, interpretive signage and a new bridge that will cross the Dowagiac River.

The project also includes the construction of a camping area for the park, complete with two cabins, picnic grills and fire rings, along with increased parking.

Wyman said the county wants to enhance Dodd Park’s amenities prior to the demolition of the Pucker Street Dam, which is expected to benefit the Dowagiac River system and attract more tourists.

“We are looking out for our visitors,” he said.

Wyman said Dodd Park is the county’s busiest summer park because of its access to the Dowagiac River, which is popular for fishing and other water-based activities, including kayaking and canoeing.