The Legacy Dune Trail: Designing Sustainable Hiking Trails Within Lake Michigan’s Coastal Dune Ecosystems

Abstract

The western shore of Lake Michigan is home to some of the largest freshwater dunes in the world. Three preserves (Pilgrim Haven, Porter Legacy Dunes, and Van Buren State Park) have been established just south of South Haven, MI to protect critical dune habitat and provide recreational access to the dunes and Lake Michigan. A fourth property—Syndicate Park Dune Area— contains both private lands as well as a network of public lands held by Van Buren County. In January of 2022, a masters project team from the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) formed to research and develop trail concepts for the Legacy Dune Trail through these four properties simultaneously protecting the sensitive dune environment while allowing visitors to experience the unique landscape. The project was sponsored by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) and the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service (NPS). The team analyzed both cultural and natural features of the properties, engaged with stakeholders from local communities, and developed design concepts for the interdunal Legacy Dune Trail, connecting all four properties as well as a more detailed trail design for the Porter Legacy Dunes property.