The Wilder River Walk at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve needs immediate repairs! The boardwalk was built on dry land in 2007 along the shore of the Muskegon River. Over the years however, the level of the river and Muskegon Lake have risen dramatically and washed away a portion of the original riverbank causing a section of the walkway to sink and slope towards the river. That section of the River Walk is now temporally closed until repairs can be made.
The estimated cost of the repairs is $46,530.00. The Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve is managed by the Muskegon Environmental Research & Education Society (MERES), a 503 (c) nonprofit organization and is kicking off the Wilder River Walk fundraising campaign to make the needed repairs.
Donations can be made by going to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve website at https://muskegonlakenaturepreserve.com and clicking on the Click to Donate button or by sending a check to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve at P.O. Box 5038, North Muskegon, MI 49445-0038.
The Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve is home to trails, the Al Bell Wetland Trail, a paved bike and walking trail, the Ron Brown Education Pavilion and the 1⁄4 mile long Wilder River Walk. Activities include bird watching, fishing, jogging, walking, biking, wildlife viewing and dog walking. The Preserve also serves as an outdoor classroom for teachers and students from the local school districts, in their study of wetlands and forest environmental issues.
If you have any questions regarding the fundraiser or the Preserve, please contact Steve Thompson at 616-405-3524, Tom Willi at 231-260-6730 or friendsofthemlnp@gmail.com.
