Fortunately, new public access to Lake Michigan is being added through different land acquisition means. The Michigan Land Trust Fund and a number of regional land conservancy groups have been the primary vehicles. Choose a county or topic to jump to or scroll to see the whole list.
| General Topics | |
| Ottawa County ....................... | Holland, Grand Haven |
| Muskegon County ................. | Muskegon, Whitehall, Montague |
| Manistee County ................... | Manistee, Onekama, Arcadia |
| Benzie County ...................... | Frankfort, Elberta |
| Leelanau County ................... | The little finger |
| Emmet County, Mackinaw City . | Petoskey, Harbor Springs |
Michigan Supreme Court rules in favor of public beach access! The Michigan Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the public's right to walk along Michigan's Great Lake shore. On July 29, 2005, the court said that the public could walk between the "high water mark" and the lake in front of private residences. This had been in dispute in recent years because of conflicting lower court rulings. In February 2006, the US Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal regarding the Michigan Supreme Court ruling. It appears that years of wrangling regarding this issue is over. Go ahead and take your walk! It is your right again. And by the way - Michigan's West Coast is the only guide that shows you nearly every access point to partake in that right. (MWC - p9).
Michigan State Park Fees. Updated state park entrance and camping fees can be found at the following links: Motor Vehicle Permit and campground fees. (MWC- p8).
County Park Updates. I have posted links to the county park systems that have website information at "Coastal Links."
Rosy Mound Update. Since publication, Ottawa County Parks completed a major facelift to its Rosy Mound Natural Area located just south of Grand Haven (MWC - p49). A million-dollar boardwalk and stair system leads you from the new parking area across the dunes to the shore. The views are superb, the beach is sandy and the park is special. There is a $5 daily fee during the summer season. The self-serve pay station takes credit cards and bills. A modern restroom is available at the parking site and new outhouses at the beach. Photos.
Muskegon's Hartshorn Marina is Renovated. Initially dedicated in 1960, the city's marina on Muskegon Lake has undergone its first, full renovation in 45 years. Boater's will be greeted to new seawalls, docks and updated utility services. Docks and boat slips are now handicap accessible. (MWC - p57).
North Beach Access Park. Located on the north side of the City of Manistee at the end of Washington street is a handicap accessible access to Lake Michigan. Find the parking lot near the water tower. There is a hard-packed trail to a large wooden viewing platform with steps to the sandy beach. No facilities. Photo.
Arcadia Dunes. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has added a parking lot and a few trails to the recently acquired Arcadia Dunes site. Look for the parking entrance on the west side of M-22 between the MDOT Arcadia Bluffs Rest Area and St. Pierre Road. The area has spectacular dunes scenery, high bluffs along Lake Michigan and access to 2 miles of beach. A portable restroom is available at the parking lot. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk from the lot to Old Baldy Dune, then somewhat farther to the shore. This organization is doing an outstanding job of adding shoreline to the public trust. Please consider donating to their Coastal Campaign, (MWC - p95). Photo.
Green Point Dunes. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy opened Green Point Dunes for recreational use. Located on Green Point Road just west of M-22 between Elberta and Arcadia, it has one mile of shore and about 215 acres of land. At this point, parking, hiking trails and an information kiosk are available. (MWC - p95). Photo.
Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy opened this new preserve recently. It is found just off M-22 in the Herring Lakes area south of Elberta and Frankfort. (MWC - p95).
Elberta Dunes. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is currently working to preserve a portion of the dunes near Elberta. (MWC - p95).
Pt Betsie Lighthouse Renovation. The lighthouse, located a few miles north of Frankfort (MWC - p99), has been repainted, re-roofed and looks better than ever. For more information, visit the website of The Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse. Photo.
Empire Beach Improvements. The Village of Empire did a great job with its beach. Users will find new restrooms and playground equipment. The best of the new features is a beachfront along sandy South Bar Lake. This gives you a choice of the colder Lake Michigan water or the warmer inland lake. The distance between the two lakes is a couple hundred feet. Also, you will find a new boat launch on lake Michigan. (MWC - p107). Photo.
New Park at Suttons Bay. Suttons Bay added a park on the waterfront at the end of Race Street. Find Race Street at the flashing light north of downtown where M-22 and M-204 intersect. It includes a picnic shelter, modern restrooms and a boat launch.
Resort Township East Park remains closed but clean-up progress has been made.. Bay Harbor, an up-scale private development near Petoskey was built in the 1990's atop a former quarry and site of a cement plant. Investigations showed that cement kiln dust left from the plant was leaching out of the ground into the water. Extremely high pH levels were found at testing sites along Little Traverse Bay. The highly alkaline recordings were toxic to humans and aquatic life in places of concentration. One result has been the closing of Resort Township's East Park (MWC - p159) for environmental clean-up. Consumers Energy now estimates that the park could re-open in 2009. I'll keep you posted.
Besides providing a great view of the Bay, East Park provided good trailhead parking for a portion of the Little Traverse Wheelway. Bicyclists and other users of the bicycle path will find parking at Resort Township's West Park located 4 Miles west on US-31 in Bayshore. West Park is at the Emmet-Charlevoix county line. (MWC - p159).
Mackinaw City Marina renovation. The project included a renovated marina which redevelops the old state ferry dock area and adds 125 transient boat slips updates. (MWC - p171).
