The Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve is a 17-acre wetland in North Muskegon which is owned by the Muskegon Environment Research and Education Society, or MERES, a non-profit organization. That means that the entire property is cared for by volunteers and funded by donations. Recently, a 250-foot section of boardwalk that runs along the Muskegon River has started to sink, making it unsafe for public use.
“So, in an abundance of caution, we closed off that 250 feet until we can get that raised back up and secured.”
Tom Willi is a volunteer and board member with MERES. He says the preserve gets thousands of visitors a year, including student groups, fishers, kayakers, and bicyclists.
“Our preserve also connects with the Lakeshore Bike Trail, so you can actually come off the Lakeshore Bike Trail onto our riverwalk.”
Willi says that while the land is protected under a land conservative, keeping it free from commercial development, it’s important to maintain these green spaces for future generations.
“Those kind of areas are hard to find. It’s a nice little getaway kind of tucked away in the city of North Muskegon.”
The MERES wants to raise $46,530 by July 1st of this year, but they hope repairs can begin on the boardwalk by this spring. You can donate online at MuskegonLakeNaturePreserve.com.