Trail wends through the tree canopy in Michigan’s Dow Gardens

The Editors

5 years ago

Photo of an elevated walkway over Dow Gardens

A variety of other structures populate the 54-acre forest. (Nic Lehoux)

A lookout along the walk (Nic Lehoux)

The walkway incorporates structures that offer shelter and provide (Nic Lehoux)

The elevated walkway (Nic Lehoux)

Pavilions hovering in the forest (Nic Lehoux)

Pavilion at night (Nic Lehoux)

Overlook above a pond (Nic Lehoux)

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.

Mesh netting at a trail spur (Nic Lehoux)

At various points, trail’s solid floor turns into mesh netting that visitors can sit on, floating among the tree trunks.

Another spur looking over a pond (Nic Lehoux)

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.