×

Rockport’s plan for future use starting to come into focus

ALPENA — Ideas on the future development at Rockport Recreation Area are beginning to conceptualize, however, many hurdles remain in the way.

Carol Dodge-Grochowski, president of the Friends of Rockport Group, said she and several people from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources made the trip to Lansing to hear the second round of presentations by students at Michigan State University.

The students previously presented their ideas for Rockport in Alpena and then were asked to fine tune their ideas based upon the input from the audience. The Nov. 22 presentations gave Grochowski and the DNR an opportunity to see and hear the updated ideas.

“Each one had us on board and excited about it,” she said. “One in particular hit it out the park.”

That idea proposed creating a campground over an outlook in the park. This would create different destinations for fishers, families and tenters. In this idea the fishers would be the first section of the campground so they would be able to access the lake without disturbing the others.

Other presentations proposed creating rustic cabins, renovating the pier and creating an interpretive visitor center. However, Grochowski pointed out the large cost associated with these later plans.

In a bid to bring in more revenue the group has started the XTERRA Triathlon that began last year. The event brought in $6,000 for the group and she expects the event to bring in more people next year.

The next step following the students presentations will be to consult with an architecture firm to create specific plans. While Grochowski said the presentations narrowed their ideas and created a good ground work for the site, development still is some time out.

“I think the clearer we can be in what we want to do is best for proceeding,” she said. “It’s not like we’re going to see anything happen tomorrow, but were on our way to seeing results.”

The Rockport Group also met with the NRTH Partnership Committee. This is the Negwegon, Rockport and Thompson’s Harbor Friends groups.

The committee discussed how to better market the three areas to attract more people. This included the idea of creating brochures and kiosk to showcase the unique features at the three sites.

One of the ways the Rockport group will be highlighting its uniqueness is by hosting the Shoe Year’s Hike event on Jan. 7 from 12-3 p.m. There also will be snacks and a bonfire for participants provided by the DNR.

Tyler Winowiecki can be reached via email at twinowiecki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688. Follow Tyler on Twitter tw_alpenanews. Read his blog, Just a Thought … at www.thealpenanews.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today