The South Haven Area Recreation Authority (SHARA) recently celebrated the grand opening of the new accessible boardwalk at Porter Dunes Park, an exciting milestone that expands opportunities for visitors of all abilities to experience one of Southwest Michigan’s most unique natural landscapes.
Offering breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding dune ecosystem, the elevated boardwalk represents the first phase of a larger low-impact trail network developed through a partnership between SHARA and the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. The project was thoughtfully designed to improve accessibility while protecting the property’s sensitive environmental features.
Abonmarche was proud to partner with SHARA throughout the project, supporting the successful Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant application and providing engineering design services for the accessible boardwalk.
To minimize impacts to the surrounding environment, the 6-foot-wide elevated boardwalk was designed with a galvanized steel support system and hand-installed helical pier foundations, reducing disturbance to existing dune soils and vegetation. Throughout the design process, our team collaborated closely with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Critical Dunes permitting team to ensure the project met environmental requirements while complementing the natural character of the site.
The completed boardwalk is more than an accessible pathway, it is a connection between people and the outdoors, providing visitors of all abilities the opportunity to explore, appreciate, and protect the natural beauty of Porter Dunes Park.
We are grateful to SHARA, the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, EGLE, and all project partners who helped bring this vision to life. This project is a great example of how thoughtful planning and engineering can create meaningful recreational opportunities while preserving the landscapes that make our communities special. Watch highlights from the grand opening to see how this project is helping create lasting connections between people and the places they love.