Grant requests submitted for beach improvements

This picture of Laketown Beach from March 3, 2026, shows where a viewing deck might be built, in front of the posts, and where steps down the dune to Lake Michigan, in background, would be.

Laketown Township on March 31, 2026, filed two applications for state grants to improve access to the beach.

“We’re excited to keep this process rolling forward,” Brad Laninga, chairperson of the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission, told the township board at the March 31 public hearing.

Township board members unanimously approved each grant for submission.

The grants

The township applied for two grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

One application is for a $150,000 Passport Grant. The application includes a $50,000 match from the township for a total of $200,000. The money would fund steps at the top of the dune and a 10-foot-by-32-foot viewing platform, benches and signage. It also would pay for dune restoration plantings of grass, trees and shrubs.

The stairs, platform and plantings are Phase 2 of a three-phase project.

The other application is for a $371,200 Trust Fund Grant. The application includes a $159,250 match from the township. The money would fund Phase 2 except the platform area. It would also include steps from the parking lot up the dune and timber barrier fencing in the parking area and entrance. This is Phase 3.

The deadline to file for the grants was April 1. The township will be notified by the end of the year if it receives one or both grants.

New steps

The township plans to fund a set of steps through “The Bowl,” from the top of the dune to the Lake Michigan shore, with township money not including any grants.

Six companies submitted bids ranging from $117,000 to $372,000 with construction material including lumber, composite and metal.

The board will discuss funding the steps at its meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

The previous set of wooden steps, built 32 years ago, was closed in March 2025 due to safety concerns. The steps were removed in May of that year and a new fencing added in June to keep visitors off the dunes to prevent further erosion at the beach, 6710 142^nd Ave.