MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) – UPDATE: The planned daily closure of a portion of Peter White Drive in Presque Isle Park has been delayed due to current weather conditions, according to an updated announcement from the City of Marquette Police Department.
The annual closure allows for the safe migration of the blue-spotted salamander at the park each spring. However, Marquette PD says that due to current snowpack and weather conditions, the migration is not expected to begin for several more weeks.
The road closures at Presque Isle Park will not begin until the conditions improve and allow for the migration to begin.
More information on the migration and road closures will be announced in the future.
You can read the full message and keep up to date with announcements from the Marquette Police Department here.
ORIGINAL STORY: What started as an effort to protect the migration patterns of a particular salamander has gained national attention in recent years. On Wednesday, the City of Marquette Police Department announced road closures for 2023 to continue those efforts.
A portion of Peter White Drive in Presque Isle Park will be closed from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily until May 15 or whenever the salamanders finish their migration.
Road barricades will be set up and taken down daily to keep cars from driving through the area.
Learn more about the salamanders and the importance of their migration here.
The migrating salamanders make the move from the park’s interior across the roadway and to their breeding ponds at night.
If you are planning to visit the park in an effort to see the salamanders, use caution and watch where you’re walking. No bikes are allowed, only foot traffic. Viewing hours are from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. nightly.
