The 32-year-old wooden stairs at Laketown Beach Park are now history, closed in March due to safety concerns.
The township Parks and Recreation Commission is deciding what future steps will be best for access to Lake Michigan.
Commissioners are considering two options for stairs from an area called “the plateau” through an area called “the bowl” that leads to the beach.
Option One is a straight line down the dune with nine landings and a cost of around $163,000.
The stairs in Option Two zigzag through the dune with benches for resting and balconies for viewing and a cost of around $207,000.
Landscaping and snow fences would be extra in both options and the steps are estimated to last 20-30 years.
Commissioners will take up the plans again May 21.
Meanwhile, staff are posting signs warning visitors of the difficulty of getting up the dune without stairs or handrails and investigating how to get wi-fi to the area so people can call for help if needed.
