Trail Maintenance: Redecking in Dexter-Huron Metropark

Work has also been completed on the Border to Border Trail through Dexter-Huron Metropark. Crews redecked and repaired more than 1,350 linear feet of boardwalk. The new trail surface is a safer, smoother experience for everyone who uses this popular section of the trail. Uniquely, this project is testing different materials (fiberglass and Douglas Fir) for the boardwalk’s surface for long term durability and slip resistance – this information will inform future projects.

This project is another example of WCPARC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and
improving the Border to Border Trail for residents and visitors alike. These significant repairs were made possible through partnership between WCPARC and the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, who share the vision of well-maintained, trail-connected communities and park systems.

During construction, limited access run from Central St in Dexter to approximately the main entrance of Dexter-Huron Metropark — about 1.4 miles in total. The work replaced decking and related items on six boardwalks due to wood rot and decay. This work also served as a pilot project to test more durable materials that could guide future boardwalk designs and repairs.

Typically, boardwalks in southeast Michigan are built from Southern Yellow Pine but we have experienced higher than anticipated wear, rot, and decay using this material. Much of the boardwalk will now be resurfaced using treated Douglas Fir, which is typical of boardwalk construction in the Pacific Northwest. This wood species has better rot resistance than pine and is slightly stronger. The other material we’re testing on the two smallest boardwalks is a fiberglass composite that is designed as a boardwalk decking retrofit product. The fiberglass material should provide a significantly longer service life when compared to wood but at a higher up-front cost. Additionally, it should be more slip resistant due to its textured, non-porous surface. This means algae should have a much harder time establishing. We intend to monitor the new materials over the coming years for durability and aesthetics, and we invite your feedback. 

This project is coordinated by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) and Huron Clinton Metropark Authority (HCMA). HCMA and WCPARC will have signs in the restricted area throughout the project and post updates as construction progresses. Project status will also be posted on B2B Trail social channels.

We appreciate your patience as we worked to complete this project. The short-term closure and repair ensured the public has a safe and scenic trail into the foreseeable future.