- Promoting physical activity as part of an active lifestyle
- Developing fundamental motor skills necessary for participating in individual and team sports
- Increasing physical independence and/or mobility
- Enhancing self-esteem and self-image
- Establishing friendships with peers of all abilities
| Editorial: State park becomes more inclusive |
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Sunday, West Michigan residents can celebrate the latest expansion of one of our many parks and improvements in its accessibility.
A ceremony at 2 p.m. at Muskegon State Park's Winter Sports Complex, off Scenic Drive and across from the Lake Michigan campground, will honor the 450 people, families and organizations that raised funds to add Lost Lake to the state park. The back-dune pond and accompanying 64 forested acres were being readied for sale by the owners when The Land Conservancy of West Michigan and the Natural Resources Trust Fund led a $420,000 campaign to buy the land. The best part of the celebration is that people of all abilities will be able to participate. During the summer, the Michael Knight Lodge at the Winter Sports Complex was improved to make it more accessible during summer and winter. Leading from the lodge is a 2.5-mile trail loop to the newly acquired Lost Lake. The dolomite trail provides wheelchair access and also is usable by those with walking difficulties. The improvements were funded through a $700,000 grant from the Kellogg Foundation's Access to Recreation program. Additional accessibility plans for the state park include creating 10 campsites with handicap accessibility in the Lake Michigan campground, the creation of a fiberglass luge that would be usable year round by people of all abilities and a "tram-lift" on the east side of the new luge to more easily get participants to the top of the hill.
The state Department of Natural Resources also has plans to improve accessibility to the Muskegon Lake Snug Harbor fishing pier inside the state park located between Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. Funding is still being sought for these projects. "We want everyone to enjoy the facilities we have," Muskegon State Park Supervisor Kevin Klco told The Chronicle. "We are looking to improve our accessibility throughout the entire park with the growing senior-citizen population wanting to get out on our trails." The Muskegon area has a long history of providing access to its parks. Many have paved walkways, such as at Pere Marquette beach, where people of all abilities can stroll and enjoy the view. Some have special walkways right to the beach. The Muskegon State Park improvements join two other accessibility projects. The city of Muskegon installed barrier-free access to the beach and a playground at Norman F. Kruse Park, at the west end of Sherman Boulevard. The state also created a barrier-free trail leading to the Lake Michigan beach at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Norton Shores. There's nothing like viewing one of West Michigan's million dollar sunsets from the beach or enjoying a walk in the woods. Now even more area residents can take in the sights.
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