Crowd gathers for Nature Preserve Ribbon Cutting and "Back to the Beach" campaign
- Julie Cowie
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee, together with the Casco Township Fundraising sub-committee, held a ribbon cutting and informational event on Saturday June 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Casco Township Nature Preserve.
Under sunny skies and with a slight breeze, Casco residents and interested Nature Preserve visitors gathered under pop-up tents to review the design for restoring beach access at the bluff. The project, in two phases, will cost an estimated $2.5M in total. The Township is raising funds through grants, parks millage, and private donations to offset the project cost.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Committee held a ribbon cut by garden shears in the hands of Casco Township Supervisor Allan Overhiser. The Township Parks and Recreation committee was marking the completion of a 2021 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant that partially funded infrastructure improvements including a new 2-unit restroom with running water and flushing toilets, an expanded parking area, and a turnaround area near the bluff's edge. Casco Township Parks millage money funded the balance.
Supervisor Overhiser recounted the history of the Nature Preserve. The southern side of the parcel was acquired first, from Marie Stefan, who desired that the land she and her late husband Walter Stefan had tended to and camped on for many years remain "undeveloped, and for public use," Overhiser said. This process started in 2007. The Stefan parcel has a 1/3 mile loop universally accessible trail, picnic tables, and benches for passive recreation.
Overhiser also acknowledged the presence of Edward Hanenburg in the crowd, who attended the event with his wife, Nancy. The Hanenburgs owned the northern parcel when it had a little yellow house on it, and Hanenburg was also developing The Boardwalk at the time. Overhiser proposed that Township-controlled property at the end of 107th be traded for the opportunity to acquire the Maple Grove parcel, and Ed Hanenburg agreed. The acquisition of the "Maple Grove" side of the Nature Preserve took a few years and Hanenburg patiently cooperated until the Township had funds in hand. Hanenburg, of Grand Haven, was thanked with a round of applause for his willingness to work with the Township to make the Nature Preserve the nearly 20 acre parcel it is today.
State Representative Joey Andrews (D-38) spoke about the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund's investment in protecting lands for public use and enjoyment, particularly along the Great Lakes. Andrews also shared anecdotes about how his own family loves West Michigan's natural beauty and how compelling such spaces are for residents and tourists alike.
Kelly Hecker is chair of the Casco Township Fundraising committee. The third speaker during a short program held at 3 pm, she talked about what a beautiful place the Nature Preserve is, how well-loved it is, and the desire to invest in restoring public access so others can continue to enjoy the park for generations. Kelly also leads the Friends of the Casco Township Nature Preserve and welcomes anyone who would like to help maintain the grounds at the Nature Preserve.
Trustee Mary Campbell, the Township representative to the Parks and Recreation Committee, assisted with the ribbon cutting. Judge Christopher Burnett, of the 57th District Court in Allegan County, was also present.
Julie Cowie emceed the event, acknowledging sponsorship from the Allegan County Community Foundation, which awarded the Township $500 to offset event expenses. About half of the crowd present were Casco Township residents.
Debbie Weaver and Paul Macyauski provided information about the proposed beach access restoration plan developed by St. Joseph-based Edgewater Resources LLC. The proposed plan calls for the bluff to be restored to an angle of repose. The public will access the beach using temporary stairs in the first phase; a buried revetment will protect the bluff and a universally accessible viewing area will be constructed at the top of the bluff as the trailhead.
Phase two involves constructing a universally accessible trail to the beach. This will require a larger bluff area and an expanded buried revetment. In phase two, the temporary stairs will be removed and sold or relocated on the bluff to provide a second accessibility option to the public. The proposed plan will require a permitting process by EGLE and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Activities at the event included a crafts booth led by volunteers from Liberty-Hyde Bailey, a SHAES fire truck, tattoos, group photos along the bluff, and a cherry pit spitting contest. Casco resident Derek Getman won that contest with a spitting distance of 35'5" according to volunteers Lisa Tuohy and Will Hart, who held the measuring tape.
T-shirt sales featuring the "Back to the Beach" logo were popular, with proceeds benefitting the public access project. T-shirts are also available for purchase from the Casco Township Hall for $25. Mount Pleasant resident Lois Schwartz won the T-shirt door prize.
Sweet Caroline's Ice Cream Truck provided refreshments for purchase. Contributors donating $100 or more received a coupon for free ice cream.
According to organizers, the day raised just over $1500. People interested in supporting the project can donate by cash, check or through a QR code on signage at the Nature Preserve that points to the fund at the Allegan County Community Foundation.
Early investment in the "Back to the Beach" Campaign includes $14,100 from the Lakeshore Women Who Care in Allegan County, a $10,000 matching grant from the Allegan County Community Foundation, and several thousand dollars from individual donors who have given tax deductible charitable donations through the "Back to the Beach" fund at the ACCF.
For more information about this project, contact the Parks and Recreation Committee at parks@cascotownship.org or attend a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.
Note: Julie Cowie is a member of the Casco Township Fundraising sub-committee