The newly paved road ends at County Roads 651 and 669 provide easier access to the Lake Michigan beaches, though not everyone is happy with the projects in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Vehicles begin to take up parking spaces
at the new paved County Road 651 road end
one morning last week.

The $240,000 projects were completed June 7 and resulted in 25 new standard parking spaces at the 651 road end, and 23 for 669. In addition, both sites have two parking spots for oversized vehicles, a turn-around for drop-off use, bike racks, picnic areas, a drinking fountain and a foot-washing station.

Tina Templin, who spends summers at her home off Shetland Creek near 669, said she uses the beach at the road’s end frequently. She said the improvements make the beach more easily accessible and usable, but she’s still concerned.

“We worry that it will bring in a lot more use than can be supported by the beach,” she said.

Cindy Devitt of Maple City recalled backing out of a parking spot at the 651 road end in July 2007.

She said it was a hot and busy Sunday. The parking lot, just like the beach, was full of activity.

As she was pulling out of a spot, her vehicle was hit by a truck. Despite being involved in a fender-bender, Devitt said she was skeptical of any changes when she saw work begin in May.

The driver of a truck backs out of
one of the newly created parking spots
at the County Road 669 road end.

“When I saw the construction I thought, ‘Oh, they’re going to destroy it and make it all touristy looking.’ But they didn’t,” she said. “I like that they still kept it natural looking.”

Bill Thomas of Solon Township, however, doesn’t think there’s anything natural about a paved parking lot.

“It’s supposed to be a natural area with no naturalization, then they got it paved,” he said. “I think if they’re going to keep it all natural they should keep it all natural.”

Road Commission project manager Lee Jameson acknowledged that a parking lot is not natural, but said Lakeshore officials did the best they could to preserve wildlife while fulfilling the reason for the improvements.

“There’s no question that by paving, it has changed the character of that area,” he said. “As far as the vegetation there, any areas that were disturbed were revegetated with native species, dune grass particularly. The intent of the work is to increase visitor access, particularly for those who were previously unable to use that area.”

A park pass is still required to use the beaches, and park officials have made it easier for the public to buy one. Now, rather than driving to the D.H. Day Campground where the closest park passes were available, visitors may purchase one at the road ends from newly installed fee canisters, Jameson said. Day passes are $10 and season passes are $20.

“Eighty percent of the revenue received through our entrance fee is retained here at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,” he said. “Those funds have been used for a number of projects,” he added, referring to improvements at the Glen Haven village historic district, visitors services, and efforts to control the spread of invasive species. “Just about everything we do benefits from the fees generated.”

Jameson said a project to pave the parking lot at the Dune Climb has been scheduled for mid-October. He said the popular attraction will remain open during the project, and temporary parking will be provided just south of the location.

“Well, it’s pretty rough, particularly the entrance right now,” Jameson said about the now gravel parking lot. “It gets a lot of use and generates a lot of dust. And we feel this will improve the visitor experience and also long-term reduce our maintenance cost.”

He said the government estimate for the project is $500,000, but no cost has been finalized.