The good news is the snow fences have been taken down at the Ottawa County North Beach in Ferrysburg… our home beach. Sand has been smoothed, even as the winds continue to drift more sand into the parking lot. Warm weather is just days away.
Plenty of bad news too though. Parts of the once nice sandy beach are strewn with rocks. It won’t be an easy stroll to the water. The sand cliff from the erosion remains. Exposed tree roots hint at more bad news to come.
And then the State, in their infinite wisdom, has not touched the Grand Haven State Park beach. Snow fences remain up. Parking lots and drives with several feet deep sand in drifts. Instead of opening up the huge parking lots so people could safely social distance and enjoy the park, they closed down the small accessible parking areas. The governor brags the parks have not closed. But while the Grand Haven park is open, people must walk in. Elderly, who are unable to walk far, are now denied the ability to drive in, sit in their cars and safely listen to the waves. Worse, parking at the tiny Grand Haven City Beach is already overwhelmed. The city may close that beach too, blaming a lack of social distancing of citizens. But the true people I blame, are the State leaders who forced people into small parking areas, then cried lack of social distancing and shut them down.
So, unnecessarily, parking closures by the State may domino into the city and county beaches. Ironically, another study indicating the benefits of fighting Covid-19 with vitamin D was released today. Care about your citizens, Governor? Set them free to soak up a little sun while safely socially distancing at the thousands of miles of beach front Michigan is blessed with.