Water Warrior Island has filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), claiming that state construction projects at the Lower Trout Lake day-use area have derailed its entire season for 2025. The owners of the floating water park allege that significant investments made in preparation for the season were rendered futile due to delays caused by the DNR’s activities, leading to substantial financial losses.
In a complaint submitted in February 2025, owner Aaron Fulton and his partners argue that the DNR’s construction timeline and modifications on-site made it impossible to adequately staff and operate Water Warrior Island. The lawsuit details how the state’s schedule affected their operational capabilities and ultimately left them without sufficient time to open for the season. The DNR has not provided comments regarding the ongoing litigation.
The legal action names the DNR as the defendant and outlines a chronological sequence of events that the owners believe led to their operational challenges. According to reports by MLive, the lawsuit specifies how the changes in the park’s environment disrupted their planned activities.
Water Warrior Island, located within the Bald Mountain Recreation Area, has become a popular attraction featuring floating obstacle courses, rentals, and a notable 30-foot launch slide introduced in 2023. Access to the park required a valid Michigan Recreation Passport, and the owners marketed various ticket options, including all-day passes and shorter sessions aimed at families. The launch slide quickly gained popularity and contributed significantly to visitor engagement.
The financial stakes in the lawsuit are considerable. The owners assert that they invested approximately $400,000 into the park’s infrastructure and spent nearly $150,000 on insurance, advertising, and system upgrades. They project that the lost 2025 season will cost them around $300,000 in revenue. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the removal of the launch slide alone would incur costs exceeding $70,000. Notably, a certificate of occupancy for the Lower Trout Lake area was not issued until June 26, 2025, further complicating their operational timeline. The DNR’s renovation of the concessions building, which began in 2024 and totaled $3.9 million, is also referenced in the complaint, as it serves as a critical component of the damages being claimed.
As the case progresses through the civil litigation process, the DNR will have the opportunity to formally respond to the complaint. Should the lawsuit advance, both parties will engage in document exchange and depositions during the discovery phase. The ongoing situation underscores the potential conflicts that can arise when private enterprises and government agencies attempt to coordinate construction and operational schedules at shared recreational sites.
For now, the owners are seeking reimbursement for what they describe as lost revenue and unrecoverable investments. The DNR has opted to remain silent on the specific details of the case, citing the ongoing nature of the lawsuit. The resolution of this dispute could have broader implications for similar partnerships between state agencies and private operators in the future.
