A Community Engagement Event took place at Channel Lane Park in Pentwater Monday, Sept. 16, from 4-6 p.m. There was no formal presentation; instead, interested residents could come and go at their convenience during the two hours. The event was a continuation of the discussion started two years ago by persons concerned about the impact of wind-blown sand on state park infrastructure, including roads, parking areas and hiking paths. Concern extended to the channel where sand was deposited in large enough quantities to put boat traffic at risk and to require expensive dredging work regularly.
The informal discussion grew to include Pentwater Township, Stantec (an environmental engineering firm), the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Village of Pentwater. Over time, a project goal and project area were defined. The project area includes Charles Mears State Park, Channel Lake Park, the village-owned turn-around at the end of Lowell Street, and South Beach, which borders a private beach association. The project goal is to formulate a natural, non-invasive method to minimize sand movement and stabilize the dunes in the project area.
Sand dunes are naturally moved and shaped by the water depth and force and the wind direction and strength. Those are forces over which humans have no control. But it is possible to observe what naturally stabilizes dunes and utilize that information toward the project goal. The lengthy root system of dune grass has held sand in place for years. Where walls and fences are not successful, vegetation is a natural, non-invasive method to minimize sand movement.
The plans shared Monday night at Channel Lane Park illustrated strategically placed dense areas of vegetation, some with defined edges of low walls. Several architectural-sized drawings of the suggested ideas were available for examination by attendees, and core committee members were nearby to answer questions and receive feedback. Residents were invited to write their comments on cards distributed for that purpose as attendees arrived, but were also invited to write their concerns and suggestions on sticky note pad paper and attach the notes on the large drawings at the very site of their concerns.
Township Supervisor Lynne Cavazos has been a key person throughout the entire process. She reported that “Fifty-five interested residents registered their attendance at the event and engaged in animated conversations. There were also seven core committee members present who debriefed over dinner following the event. While community feedback is very important and valuable to the project process, we have to remember that the final decisions will be made by the State of Michigan because they own the land we are talking about.”
