The Premarc Corporation - Success Stories

Bertha Brock Park's New Bridge

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Ionia County - Dedication, teamwork and determination brought the installation of a new bridge over Bellamy Creek in Bertha Brock Park. Several years of planning went into the design and building of the new bridge. Along the way, funding issues, changes of ownership and management of the park were all hurdles which had to be overcome. With the bridge now completed, Bertha Brock Park is able to have fire protection provided to the southern reaches of the park including the rustic Palmer Lodge and the Ionia County Hunting and Fishing Clubhouse.

Bertha Brock Parks was founded in 1931 by Allan Williams. The park began as a 23-acre roadside park. Shortly after its inception, the Ionia County Hunting and Fishing Club began using its facilities for their meetings and outings. In 1943 the Ionia County Hunting and Fishing Club built their clubhouse within the park. Throughout the years the Hunting and Fishing Club purchased several 40-acre parcels of land and then donated the land to Bertha Brock Park.

Today Bertha Brock Park covers 208-acres of land and is open 365 days a year for use by area residents. The quiet babble of Bellamy Creek flowing throughout the park coupled with the rustic appeal of the hardwoods and grounds makes this park a true gem for the Ionia area.

In January of 2002, Bertha Brock changed hands from the City of Ionia to Ionia County. Concern arose among the newly formed County Park Board regarding the safety of one of the bridges within the park. The bridge in question was made from wooden decking attached to 12" steel I-beams which were supported by six 55-gallon steel drums filled with concrete. The bridge was only 17' wide and was rated to handle a maximum of nine tons. The lack of structural strength meant emergency vehicles could not cross the bridge, thus leaving the southern part of Bertha Brock Park and the Palmer Lodge extremely vulnerable to fires and other natural disasters.

The County Park Board sought the assistance of John Bush, the Ionia County Drain Commissioner, to develop a plan for replacing the bridge. Throughout his years of service with the county, John had developed a good rapport with many of the local contractors, suppliers and road builders in the area. John quickly enlisted the assistance of the Ionia County Road Commission. Together, they developed a plan to replace the existing bridge with a 20' span concrete box culvert.

Competitive prices, quality products and the ability to provide 20' span box culverts within a two week period prompted the County Park Board to choose the Premarc Corporation as the preferred supplier for the project. The Premarc Corporation is Michigan's largest precast concrete manufacturer and the only supplier capable of manufacturing 20' span box culverts from a Prestressed/Precast Concrete Institute, (PCI), certified plant. This ensured the box culverts delivered to Bertha Brock Park were manufactured to the highest quality standards.

A budget for $50,000.00 was set up through Ionia County to pay for the new bridge. Easton Township, where Bertha Brock Park is located, donated $5,000.00 towards the project in 2002 and another $5,000.00 towards the project in 2003. The Ionia County Board of Commissioners supplied the remaining $40,000.00 from their Public Improvement Fund.

Once again John Bush's experience and ties within the community paid off as volunteers and contractors came forward offering to donate their time and equipment for free or at greatly reduced rates. On August 25 and 26, 2003, a handful of volunteers showed up to demolish the existing bridge and prepare the area for the new box culverts. Bellamy Creek had to be diverted through a 24" temporary pipe. Beard Excavating provided this service as well as lowering the river bed 3 feet to allow for the proper elevation to set the new bridge. Base aggregate, sold to the County at a reduced rate by Corryell, was placed on the river bed to support the new box culverts. A dewatering pump was used during this process to help contain the infiltration of river water into the excavated area.

The new box culvert bridge was set the following morning. Once again, volunteers from the Ionia Road Commission and surrounding area showed up at the park to offer their assistance. Eight 20' span box culverts were set within four hours. The new box culverts allowed for a 32' driving surface over the bridge. Ionia Welding charged only material costs for the guardrails that were installed on the new bridge. Backfilling and paving was completed on the fourth day of the project and the road was opened back up to the local park traffic.

Bertha Brock Park was named after a historian from the Ionia area who dedicated most of her life to work and volunteering within the county. It is with this same dedication and commitment to the community, John Bush was able to provide the residents of Ionia County a place to visit and take their families for many years to come.

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