New U.P. Bridge at Tahquamenon Falls Has Officially Been Named

The new pedestrian bridge at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has officially been named.

The 142-foot aluminum pedestrian bridge first opened to the public back in May of this year. The bridge makes it so much easier for just about anyone to access the island around the Lower Falls. The park had been mostly out of reach for disabled people because you had to rent a row boat and travel across the water to explore the island and its falls. That's not the case anymore.

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Since the bridge first opened, many people have just been referring to it as the Tahquamenon Falls Bridge. However, that's not the official name of the new bridge.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that the new name for the bridge would be called the Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge. Olson has been the chief of the DNR’s parks and recreation division for the last 17 years.

DNR Director Dan Eichinger:

Ron lives and breathes Michigan state parks, trails and waterways, and he will talk – and listen – to anyone, anywhere about ways to protect and improve these treasured resources so that every resident and visitor can enjoy them and be inspired to love them as much as he does. I am proud to be here today and share in this much-deserved celebration of Ron’s remarkable contributions.

While the new name doesn't roll off the tongue all that easy, I think it's really cool that they felt so strongly about this man's dedication that they honored him this way.

You can read more about Olson's work and dedication, here.