You will treasure this, Muskegon ... and it was once literally trash...

From a dump to this...

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man."  --Author Unknown

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."  --Albert Einstein

"The earth laughs in flowers." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, Muskegon, North Muskegon has got it goin’ on, pedestrian-wise. The city just keeps adding accessibility to its urban offerings and abundant natural beauty…

Some years ago, while visiting in between moves, I in-line-skated the new Muskegon Lakeshore Trail from Lakeside to the causeway bridge, where the trail ended. A couple years later, I found I could take a left into a stunning nature preserve. A year ago, I had the choice of continuing on to the Four Corners and Ruddiman (the paved trail had been extended), and this year, I found more paved trails in the nature preserve itself.

Today, the focus is on the nature preserve: its offerings, its beauty, and its inspiring background. This little corner of Muskegon Lake is like a hidden 3-D painting, with several nooks and crannies to explore. Its offerings include the paved trail, a boardwalk, and a river trail. Grassy trails lead into more woodsy areas, and the boardwalk boasts seven fishing platforms. The boardwalk skirts Muskegon Lake and then hovers over wetlands. Diverse wildlife is on display, as well as a variety of flora and fauna…

It wasn’t always so peaceful or beautiful.  The land had been, literally, a dump. It held piles of fragmented asphalt and concrete. Its transformation began with the vision of one man named Mike Hayes. A newly formed community group, Muskegon Environmental Research & Education Society, (MERES), part of the Muskegon Conservation Club, put its energy behind the vision and made it a reality. It raised money from community groups and foundations, and put in thousands of volunteer hours to complete the nature preserve.

Along with the trails, benches and picnic areas adorn serene, charming areas for those who want to take a rest or have a bite to eat. A formidable observation deck with spectacular views of the area was burned earlier this year, but MERES is looking to rebuild it …

Check it out, Muskegon. Walk to it from the Four Corners. Bike to it from the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail. Drive to it and park in its parking lot. You truly will be glad you did. Not only is it a beautiful place, it’s a perfect example of what can happen with some imagination, faith, and working together…

Now, go on, get going. Maybe I’ll see you there … or on the way…

--Imaginer

Unique scenery.

Muskegon wildlife...

Take a load off, Muskegon...

Wild decorations.

Natural sculpture.