Bridge at Ionia State Recreation Area open to public

  The state of Michigan says the bridge over Sessions Creek in Ionia State Recreation Area is now open to the public.
 
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the bridge replaces one that was destroyed by a tree knocked down by heavy rains and flooding in 2009.
 
The DNR says Tuesday bridge replacement was postponed due to budget constraints and a growing list of higher priority infrastructure issues around the state.
 
The project was funded by a trail grant and the bridge allows people to complete the 3.5 mile loop on Sessions Lake Hiking Trail without interruption.
 
The popular trail goes around Sessions Lake through marshy areas, near wetlands and through a forest. The trail also crosses the dam that was placed on the creek in 1983 to create the 140-acre lake.