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(Editor’s Note: Rudy Rudolph, who lives in the village of Old Mission, ponders a new boat launch at Kelley Park, and explains why he feels it’s a good idea to have it there instead of Haserot Beach. The new boat launch continues to move through the approval process with the DNR and Township. In this week’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the Township submitted an application for a variance from Section 7.4.7(A)(1) and (2) of the Zoning Ordinance “to construct a public parking lot and boat launch within a delineated wetland, or zero feet from the edge of a delineated wetland where 25 feet is required.” The item was tabled until the Sept. 17 meeting pending more information. -jb)
We are blessed in the village of Old Mission to have two parks where residents and visitors can take some time to enjoy the healing waters of Old Mission Bay. This past Fourth of July was a prime example of how these parks can be used.
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Haserot Beach, at the foot of the bay, is the gem of the two parks. With a wide beach (now that the water levels are more normal) and an upgraded playground, this park attracts families with children, swimmers and sunbathers galore.
The overflow parking in the grass lot behind the American Legion helps to pull cars off the main road, but on a day like July 4th, there is still a lot of shoulder parking taking place. Fortunately the speed limit of 25 mph helps to keep the area safe despite all the congestion. And mostly, this kind of overflow into the street only happens a few times, for a few hours, during the year.
Seeing the popularity of Haserot on July 4th got me thinking about the controversy leading to the abandonment of the Haserot boat launch. I know this has been a thorn in the side of many of my neighbors, but after seeing the mass of people using the beach on the 4th, it makes me think that the idea of limiting this facility to beach activities, instead of boat launching, is probably smart.
As pointed out during the open discussions leading to the abandonment of the launch, boats and swimmers are not a safe mix, especially when there are a lot of kids involved. And parking of vehicles with boat trailers, other than a few, was always a problem, as they had no place to park other than along the right of way of the main road.
In my experience, the Haserot boat launch was always somewhat problematic anyway. I was never able to launch either of my trailer launched sailboats there because the ramp was just too shallow, and it tended to silt up. I tried East Bay launch, which early in the season was okay, but necessitated a long run up the shore to Old Mission Bay. And on a weekend in the summer, East Bay is a zoo because of the heavy usage.
The DNR Launch at Bowers Harbor was also pretty good, close to us by road, but again, it is a long way around Old Mission Point by boat, if you want to moor in Old Mission Bay.
I found the best launch was Elk Rapids. Multiple, paved, steep launch ramps with services where you could purchase diesel or gasoline and a friendly staff. And it is only five miles by water to Old Mission. So that is generally where we opted to launch. Fortunately, Patti was able to bring the truck and trailer back to Old Mission, so long as she didn’t have to back it up (you wouldn’t want to watch that).
Now we also have Kelley Park, thanks to the efforts of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the Kelley family and the Department of Natural Resources. Right now this park is undeveloped, but it has great potential for a wonderful recreational site for north end residents of the Peninsula. I am looking forward to work, which should start soon, on the new boat launch that is slated to replace the Haserot launch ramp.
Granted, this site is probably going to have similar problems with sand encroachment as Haserot did, but under conditions of normal water levels, it should be able to accommodate smaller rigs, allowing local residents access for fishing. And I am thinking the parking facilities will be much better.
So far, this park is underutilized (as you can see in the photo below), but with development, that should change. And hopefully, this will take some pressure off of Haserot during the really busy days, maybe even relieving some of the road congestion we see there.
Patti and I are betting on this and have made a donation toward further development of this park facility. Maybe, if you think about it, you would share this vision and join us in supporting this effort. See you on the beach!
-Rudy Rudolph, Resident of Old Mission Village
(Editor’s Note: To help support the development of Kelley Park, contact Peninsula Township Planner Jenn Cram. Email her at [email protected] or phone (231) 223-7314.)
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