Meinert Park May Become Largest Muskegon County Park

dune land that could become Meinert Park photo from White Lake Beacon

from a news release of The White Lake Beacon, "Grant Awarded to Extend Meinert Park," by Jonah Ogles, Dec 8, 2008

Last week's Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund announcements suggest that Meinert Park in Muskegon County could double in size. If the legislature appropriates the funds, $428,300 will be awarded to the county to acquire 95 acres of dunes, woods and wetlands. The park would then be 184 acres. The new property would most likely be used for new hiking trails.

"We’re very happy," said Dan Dekker, who inherited the land after his father purchased it in 1980. "This is something my dad had talked about for a while."

The grant will cover 75% of the cost of acquiring the land, with a maximum amount of $428,300. The DNR will determine the final purchase price based on fair market value. The remainder of the funds will have to be raised through private donations. Approximately $142,755 will be needed. The landowners are donating at least $10,000 worth of land value to the match. Nearby homeowners associations are also contributing.

"We’re really excited about it," said Rick Steketee of the Lost Valley Association. "We think it’s a great addition. Meinert is just a gem of a park."

The Michigan Land Conservancy will lead the campaign to raise the rest of the funding. However, there are still a lot of steps before this is part of the park, warned the Conservancy. The legislature must approve the grants, the DNR must determine a fair market value for the property, the landowners must agree to the price and the private match must be raised.

Those interested in giving money towards the addition of the Dekker/Rottman property to Meinert Park can make donations either at the Land Conservancy’s website (www.naturenearby.org) or by mail at 1345 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 324, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. All donations, whether by check or online, should be designated for the Meinert County Park Expansion.

See Meinert Park May Gain 91 Acres
See Michigan Recreation Trust Funds for West Michigan
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Meinert Park May Gain 91 Acres

Muskegon County Meinert Park (Michigan), may be able to acquire 91 additional acres with the assistance of The Trust for Public Land and an observant couple.

Chris Knopf lives in Minnesota and is a director of regional programs for The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national non-profit conservation organization. But his parents live in Whitehall, and they noticed that the land adjacent to the southeast corner of the park was for sale. The land is in White River Township, and does not include any Lake Michigan frontage.

The parcel is mostly forested duneland area, with wetlands mixed in. The property is rugged and hilly in spots, has lots of wildlife, includes a "lost lake" and many existing hiking trails. It is possible that the county would simply install directional signs and otherwise leave the area alone.

The forested dunes would double the size of Meinert Park, if purchased. The TPL has an option to buy the land from two trusts which are the current owners of the properties. The option is good through December 2008. About $820,000 is needed

Muskegon County Commissioners voted Tuesday to eventually acquire the property from the trust and add it to Meinert County Park. The TPL will help county staff apply for grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program.

from the Muskegon Chronicle, "Duneland would double size of park", by Steve Gunn, Jan 23, 2008
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