Comments on: Full park access in Benton Harbor will now cost $75

By: ripoff

ripoff — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:42:22 +0000

Jean lock PARK is a park, not just a beach. The beach is less than half of the entire park, which consisted of forested dunes, now wiped out, and wetlands. This is a PRIVATELY owned golf course on PUBLIC land not a public golf course. The remainder of the park will be within the boundaries of their golf course, including the observation tower. What the residents got in exchange for this pristine piece of lakefront are contaminated parcels scattered on the edges of their golf course. I would encourage those who have visited Jean Klock Park to visit what the developer has given the residents in exchange, but be sure to bring your hazmat suit.
They could have easily improved the beach area without taking the fragile ecosystem that is truly the only thing that sets this area apart from other parts of this country and it was to remain open to all forever per the Klock deed- not at 75.00 a round of 9 holes.

By: axual

axual — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:04:54 +0000

See additional reply below. Yes, there was a fee to enter Jean Klock (for parking, like many parks do). One expects a similar parking fee perhaps, but I've not seen anything established for this yet.

By: axual

axual — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:01:46 +0000

The new parking is open, and very much brings back memories of how the park was built originally with boulevard parking along the dunes. Makes access to the beach safer and more pleasant. The old parking lot is, now removed and will be covered with, yes, a fairway.

Obviously one would not walk across the golf course to get to the dunes during normal course, but then why would one expect to do that when there is easier access.

You (and others) really need to visit Jean Klock Park before publishing articles or making statements which have no basis is reality (not picking on you, but too much misinformation has been published by people who do not have the history or have even been here).

$75 is the fee for playing a round of golf. The golf course is for playing golf, not accessing Jean Klock Park. The fee has nothing whatsoever to do with Jean Klock Park or access to it, which includes the dunes, beach, the shoreline, etc.

By: ripoff

ripoff — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:42:22 +0000

By: ripoff

ripoff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:42:22 +0000

By: axual

axual — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:04:54 +0000

See additional reply below. Yes, there was a fee to enter Jean Klock (for parking, like many parks do). One expects a similar parking fee perhaps, but I've not seen anything established for this yet.

By: axual

axual — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:01:46 +0000

By: ToddAHeywood

ToddAHeywood — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:39:22 +0000

Was there a fee to enter the park before the golf course was established? And you failed to answer my question about accessing the area via the golf course, can it be done without paying for a $75 game of golf? Is the new parking area open or under construction?

To answer your question, no I have not been to the park, ever.

Yes some public parks require nominal fees for entry. For instance Ingham County charges $4 for residents to visit the Potter Park Zoo. But is $75 the cost for entering the park area, whether you play golf or not? If not, what is the non-golf gaming fee?

By: axual

axual — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:33:51 +0000

Access to the look out platform is from the very publicly accessible Jean Klock Park's newly minted parking boulevard along the west side of the dunes. Have you been to the park recently?

The golf course is not a private space, but a public facility. The fact that a public facility comes with a fee is a moot point. There are many “public facilities” which come with a fee to use them including Yellowstone Park. But they are open to the public for public use.

By: ToddAHeywood

ToddAHeywood — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:16:19 +0000

So, are you saying that unless you want to pay golf, there is NO fee to enter this now PRIVATE space? To view the lake from atop the dunes?