In central Michigan, a new walkway is snaking its way through a forest canopy. The elevated trail was designed by Philadelphia-based firm Metcalfe for the Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens, a historic public garden established by Herbert H. Dow, the founder of Dow Chemical, in 1899.
The 1,400-foot-long catwalk snakes through the canopy 40 feet above the floor of the 54-acre forest.
At various points, trail’s solid floor turns into mesh netting that visitors can sit on, floating among the tree trunks.
Structures built along the trail create other spaces for reflection and observation to complement other structures on the site, including a playground, visitors’ center, café, and educational spaces.
