IRON MOUNTAIN — Construction is underway on Phase I of the Sunset Beach project at Lake Antoine Park in Iron Mountain.

Lake Antoine Park Partners’ first goal was to develop the 2,300 feet of lake frontage of the 1950s beach house to allow for handicapped accessibility.

“We are excited to be moving forward,” Lake Antoine Park Partners Board Treasurer Ann Hruska said. “We truly feel sunsets are one of the park’s best assets and we wanted folks of all abilities to share it.”

Swanson Solutions began removing the old surfaces last week, with progress on the boulder retaining wall and concrete work now taking place.

Hruska explained that the project features a concrete walkway leading from the beach to the Sunset Point viewing area, and two 12-by-12-foot picnic pads. The new construction will allow for ADA-compliant picnic tables and benches and wheelchair access directly to the lake.

MAUCK INSURANCE AND Loggers Insurance Agency of Niagara made a donation to Lake Antoine Park Partners for the remaining $7,500 needed to start Sunset Beach construction. From left are LAPP Secretary Carrie Toretta-Partello; LAPP President Allison Lucier; LAPP Treasurer Ann Hruska; Mauch and Loggers Insurance Agency representatives Laurie Nault, Dale Kleffman, Jennifer Noyce, Wendy Kletschka, Mitch Worachek and Heather Moore. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The large boulder wall will create a stable flat surface, Hruska said.

Plants from the butterfly garden were removed, with several relocated to other areas of the park and the remainder to be replanted next spring.

Construction is expected to be finished this month, she said.

The Lake Antoine Park Partners was able to reach their fundraising goal of about $40,000, with $7,500 donations from Mauck Insurance and Loggers Insurance Agency of Niagara, Wis.

The donations “sealed the deal” on getting this started this year on Phase I, Hruska said.

In addition to the $9,000 LAPP took in from previous fundraisers, they received $3,779 from Dickinson Area Community Foundation, $2,500 from Upper Michigan Energy Resources, $3,000 from Enbridge Inc., $1,000 from Kwik Trip and $7,685 from community businesses and individual donations.

Hruska noted that Swanson Solutions of Niagara, Wis., also donated $2,500 in gratis labor, and Coleman Engineering donated time to help with the design.

While Phase I features passive and scenic enjoyment of the beach front and sunsets, Phase II is to develop an inclusive Pocket Park.

The area south of the beach house will feature a series of free-standing, sensory-stimulating pieces that would encourage anyone of all ages and abilities to move safely through the area, experience recreation free of mobility devices and enjoy interacting with each other.

“This will also include a new volleyball court,” Hruska said.

Sunset Beach Phase II’s estimated $100,000 budget got a “great start” with a $50,000 grant from the Toro Greenspace Enhancement Program in partnership with BOSS Snowplow, she added.

LAPP recognizes that a Phase III would need to include upgrading existing handicapped parking at the beach house.

“The activity would occur after heavy equipment work in Phase II is completed and thus outside the scope of this project,” she said.

Hruska explained the LAPP struggled for several years on how to make the beach house area look better. “It was generally neglected after it stopped being a concession stand several years ago,” she said.

She and LAPP Vice President Doni-Mae Rauch would watch how the area was being used, which led them to come up with some ideas came for this project.

“This was large undertaking for LAPP, but here we are, moving forward,” she added.

LAPP thanks all community members and businesses for their donations in helping make the project a reality.