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Muskegon County has closed on Phase I of Dune Harbor Park Project

Nugent Sand - South Lake, Dune Harbor Park
Kristine Tyler
/
Muskegon County
Nugent Sand - South Lake, Dune Harbor Park

South Lake property must open to the public within 90-days.

Situated in Mona Shores, the Dune Harbor Park project spans 202 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline. The 214-acre property donated by Nugent Sand owner Robert Chandonnet and his daughters. It’s home to a 2.2-mile hiking trail connecting woodlands, dunes and an inland lake. Last year at this time. Muskegon county was recommended for a $3.3 million Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant and Chandonnet matched that amount.

“It’s just a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the county to bring a property like this so close to such a residential area.”

Caitlin Hegedus is Marketing and Operations manager with Visit Muskegon. She tells the county has received a second $5 million DNR Trust Fund Grant recommendation earlier this month.

“If that is approved by the governor in the New Year, then we will move forward with the purchase of the north side, too. So, we’re looking forward to working on that portion of the project.”

Until then, the DNR requires the county to open to the public within 90-days the southern parcel of the Dune Harbor Park project.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.