Special board meeting set for grant hearings

The March 31 special meeting will address Passport and Trust Fund grant requests for improvements at the beach.

This diagram shows Phase 2 and Phase 3 of improvements at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142nd Ave.

Laketown Township is holding two public hearings at a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

Both hearings are to apply for grants for improvements at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142nd Ave.

Passport Grant

One application is for a $150,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources 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.

Trust Fund Grant

The other application is for a $318,500 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant. The application includes a $318,500 match from the township for a total of $637,000. The money would fund all of Phase 2 plus steps from the parking lot up the dune and timber barrier fencing in the parking area and entrance. This is Phase 3.

After the hearings, the board will discuss and possibly vote on one or both of the grant applications. The board will also decide on how much to offer as a match for the grants and where in the budget the matching funds will come from.

Steps in “The Bowl”

On March 11, the board held a public hearing to apply for the Passport Grant to fund steps through the area called “The Bowl,” from the top of the dune to the Lake Michigan shore. On March 12, the board decided to increase fund in the Parks and Recreation Commission budget to cover construction of steps through The Bowl and not apply for any grant money for the project.

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

The board did not decide whether to start construction or who would do the work if approved.

Because the board changed the focus of the Passport Grant from Phase 1 –the steps through The Bowl — to Phase 2, another public hearing is required.

This sketch by engineers Prein & Newhof shows the general areas referred to in grant applications for improvements at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142nd Ave.

In Summary

What: Two public hearings, one for a $150,000 state Passport Grant ($50,000 match from the township for a total of $200,000) for Phase 2 and the other for a $318,500 state Trust Fund Grant ($318,500 match from the township for a total of $637,000) for Phases 2 and 3.

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road. Zoom option available.

Why: A special meeting is needed because the grant application deadline is April 1. The hearings are required by the state for the applications.

What is Phase 1: Also called Area 1. The is The Bowl, which runs from the top of the dune to the bottom, leading to the “Beach Run-out” that goes to Lake Michigan. The township is not using grant money for this.

What is Phase 2: Also called Area 2. This is The Plateau at the top of the dune and the plan calls for steps, an elevated deck and viewing platform.

What is Phase 3: Also called Area 3. This is The Front that stretches from the parking lot to The Plateau.  The plan is for steps with viewing bump-outs and fencing.