Coastal Management Grants from EGLE

Rosy Mound beach (photo by jhy)

from a news article by WGVU Public Media

Ten grants have been awarded for coastal management by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The total is $885,000. Three of the grants will come to west Michigan.

Grants are awarded annually from the Michigan Coastal Management Program whose mission is to protect, preserve, restore, enhance and develop coastal resources along the nation’s longest freshwater coastline

Rosy Mound Natural Area, in Ottawa County, will receive $50,000 to protect wetlands and improve public access.

The city of Saugtuck, in Allegan County, will be able to improve safety and access to Oval Beach with $20,000.

South Haven, in Van Buren County, is updating its zoning to better deal with shoreline protection strategies and erosion issues. They have been awarded $17,500.

See Rosy Mound
See Oval Beach


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Rosy Mound Improvements Funded

Events Calendar

existing and proposed trails at Rosy Mound ( map from the Rosy Mound Master Plan with highlights)

from Ottawa County

One of the 2025 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund recommendations was for $800,000 to Ottawa County. The one-line description was for the Petty's Bayou area. This, however, does not tell the full story. Two specific projects will split the funding. One will be covered in this article.

Half the money will be applied to development on the recently acquired 127 acres at Rosy Mound near Grand Haven, Michigan, which will proceed according to the Master Plan. This will result in an additional 2.6 miles of foot trail, bringing the total to 4.4 miles.

A new parking area on Lakeshore Drive with 50 spots for day use will be built. Additional project elements include 0.85 miles of universally accessible paved trails, two new beach connections, two scenic overlooks, an extensive stair and boardwalk system, and a vault toilet.

It is proposed that the improvements will be implemented in four phases:
A. The new parking area, a loop trail and spur to an overlook
B. Additional trails leading to the Lake Michigan beach
C. Connections south to the existing Rosy Mound trails
D. An additional connection between the two parking areas, nearer to Lakeshore Drive.

The map above shows existing trails highlighted in lime green. All trails to the north of that will be constructed.

The legislature must still approve the appropriation, but this is usually a formality.

See Rosy Mound Master Plan for additional info and more maps (a pdf)


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Rosy Mound Expansion Opens

A portion of the Dune Trail (photo by jhy)

compiled from several sources

Rosy Mound Natural Area near Grand Haven, MI, has been a small pocket of dune ecosystem with short trails since opening in 2004. The land, considered critical habitat, had been on the Ottawa County radar since 1989.

Now, an additional 127 acres, adjacent to the northeast, have been acquired. This results in a 291 acre natural area.

Trails will be expanded. The original park has only a little over 2 miles of trail, and they are challenging miles, crossing the dunes by means of stairs.

The new acres are currently open to the public, but development will proceed according to the master plan. The acquired area had been mined for sand, so restoration will be involved. Some leveled areas are suitable to be more highly developed with parking, picnic areas, restrooms, etc.

Approximately 108 acres will be protected as critical habitat. The master plan states its intention to "strike a balance between preserving the natural environment while ensuring access for all visitors to experience the area’s scenic beauty."

Results of a public survey strongly favor less development, but the strongest positive responses were for better restroom facilites, and more natural surface trails.

Approximately 4 miles of new trails will be established, more than doubling the trail network.

See the full Master Plan which includes all public comments


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