News

Saugatuck Township Board voted to withdraw ballot proposal during a special meeting on Aug. 28

---

In a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Saugatuck Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted to remove the $3.6 million bond proposal from the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot in order to acquire the former Pine Trail Camp property.

“Due to recent developments related to the purchase of the former Pine Trail Camp property, we must respectfully withdraw our bond proposal request from the Nov. 5 ballot,” said Saugatuck Township manager Daniel DeFranco. “Our plans for the park would have secured public water access, preserved the natural shoreline and provided space for diverse recreational activities and programing for our residents and visitors – making this the community’s first dedicated water access point.”

Historically operated as an overnight summer camp, Pine Trail Camp, located at 3525 Dugout Road, has been closed to campers since 2021. The township had hoped to purchase the privately-owned 20-acre lot with 350 feet of waterfront access on the Kalamazoo River and redevelop it as a community park.

“While land acquisitions can sometimes be challenging, we remain committed to working with interested stakeholders to explore any and all options to acquire this property, in part or in whole, for future township parkland development and public river access,” said DeFranco.  “We are always exploring ways to increase public access to the waterfront, expand outdoor recreation opportunities and preserve our most valuable natural resources for our community. Saugatuck Township remains rich with existing parks and scenic nature trails that residents and visitors can enjoy and take advantage of throughout the changing seasons.”

Saugatuck Township’s parks include:

• River Bluff Park: East of Blue Star Highway alongside Old Allegan Road
• Sundown Park: At the end of 126th Avenue
• Tails n’ Trails Dog Park: 6359 134th Ave.
• Blue Star Memorial Highway Park: South of exit 41 on Blue Star Highway
• Amelanchier Park: 3461 Clearbrook Dr, Saugatuck, MI 49453

For more information on the Saugatuck Township Parks, visit https://saugatucktownshipmi.gov/departments/parks-recreation/