Plantings underway to stabilize sand dune

Work is on a slope of land the township purchased in 2024.

A crew from Olde Paths Inc. of Holland plant some of the 63,700 sprigs of dune grass at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142nd Ave., on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Tom Mazeikis hoisted four sacks of grasses over his shoulders and ascended the dunes at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142nd Ave., on Thursday, March 27, 2025, so he and his crew of four could continue planting 63,700 sprigs of dunes grass.

The plantings will help stabilize the area the township purchased in early 2024.

A crew from Olde Paths Inc. of Holland plant some of the 63,700 sprigs of dune grass at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142nd Ave., on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

A crew from Olde Paths Inc., 14828 Barry St., Holland, continued plantings from last year and will finish this round of work on Friday.

The township began a dune grass planting program in the fall of 2022 with plantings along the east-west boardwalk and trail to the beach.

That boardwalk and set of stairs was recently closed after being declared unsafe. It is blocked with yellow caution tape. Signs alerting visitors to the closing will be posted soon.

Tom Mazeikis of Olde Paths Inc. of Holland carries bags of dune grass to a crew at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142nd Ave., on Thursday, March 27, 2025.