Press Release, July 22, 2003 Battle to Save Saugatuck Dunes State Park Reaches out to Laketown Efforts to save Saugatuck Dunes State Park from development will broaden their reach on Tuesday, July 29th at 7 PM. We have reserved Gibson Christian Reformed Church in Laketown Township, 6486 140th Ave. (just west of 64th between Saugatuck and Holland) for a meeting featuring speakers from Concerned Citizens. The presentation will last about 30-45 minutes and be followed by questions and answers. The July 29th meeting will inform the public as to the most recent efforts by the City of Holland and Laketown Township to acquire land within Saugatuck Dunes State Park to build a water treatment plant, pumping station, access road, and water treatment plant. Area residents and Park users from all over Michigan are expressing alarm about the impact a water intake and treatment facility would have upon the park. Suzy Richardson, a local resident who uses the park frequently, calls it, "a betrayal of public trust." The Audubon Society of Holland, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, PIRGIM and The League of Women Voters - Holland Chapter are among 12 state and national organizations who have expressed concern with the plans to develop Saugatuck Dunes State Park. "The citizens of Laketown Township and Holland need to be made aware that their elected officials are pushing for a major infrastructure project in the heart of the region’s last remaining public wild duneland," says David Swan, co-founder of Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The battle to save the park began nearly two years ago when citizens learned that the City of Holland and Laketown Township were negotiating with the DNR to acquire a parcel within the park for development. The land in question runs along the main trail from the beach at Lake Michigan through Historic Shore Acres to a 35-acre parcel at the entrance to the State Park. Last November Alison and David Swan, the co-chairs and founders of Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park, were awarded the Petoskey Prize from the Michigan Environmental Council, a coalition of 60 Michigan environmental organizations, for their grassroots environmental leadership in bringing widespread attention to this issue. Visitors to Saugatuck Dunes State Park and Natural Area can hike 16+ miles of trail through more than 1000 acres of dune and forest to the longest stretch of undeveloped public beach along the southern shores of Lake Michigan. Families, scientists, artists, and birders come to the park from all over Michigan and beyond to enjoy the park’s significant, and increasingly rare, natural assets. For more information on the public presentation and a map to the church check our Calendar page. You can also call 269-857-8234 or e-mail david.swan@gale.com. Return to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park Resources & Reference page. www.SaugatuckDunes.org