MANISTEE — Manistee’s beaches already draw thousands of tourists each year.
And now Manistee’s newly approved beach master plan would invest millions in potential upgrades across First Street Beach, Fifth Avenue Beach, the manmade lake, and North Beach access.
Sammy Lukaszkiewicz from Manistee Tourism said the plan is about preservation and growth.
“A beach master plan not only maintains our beaches for now, but it preserves our beaches for the future and helps elevate them for years to come.”
“If you’re taking care of your parks, you take care of people. And tourists notice things like that. We always need more shade, more hammocks-things that take our beaches to the next level,” said Lukaszkiewicz.
A public survey of more than 500 respondents showed Manistee residents want better restrooms, recycling bins, and especially improved accessibility.
Parks Commission volunteer Karen Peltola said the plan is about creating areas for all ages to enjoy while taking care of the shoreline long term.
“Working with the water system, helping with using Mother Nature as a watering tool for gardening. There are some pathways that are going to be American with Disabilities Act approved, which is something high on my priority list.”
While the price tag for the project totals more than $16 million, city leaders said the plan is more of a guide than a checklist.
The high-priority items include increased access for persons with disabilities and removing invasive species throughout specific beach areas to help maintain the beaches ecological system.
Petola said part of the massive beach plan is providing a vision to obtain funds through grants and partnerships.
“A beach master plan is a pathway forward. It shows funders we have a vision. These are fluid plans, but they all enhance the beautiful parks we already have.”
The beach master plan includes projects ranging from an amphitheater at First Street Beach to new kayak launches at a manmade lake.
“The bottom goal is to provide residents and tourists alike with some of the best water activity areas while using our natural resources to enhance quality of life.”
Right now, there is no timeline on when the project is set to begin.