MyNorth News Service
(Press Release provided by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
EMPIRE, MI – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore continues to recover from the Sunday, August 2, windstorm. National Park Service crews from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and North Country National Scenic Trail are making progress clearing closed areas of hazardous trees at this major Michigan tourist attraction. Power has been restored to the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire and it is now open. Crews are currently completing the clean-up of other of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s favorite stops on Michigan vacations: Glen Haven Historic Village and Maritime Museum. Those areas will reopen August 7. Due to safety concerns and lack of facilities, the following areas of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore remain closed: the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive; Dune Climb and Dune Trail; and DH Day Campground and Group Campground. Numerous Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore trails are also closed due to extensive tree damage. At this time, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (a popular Michigan biking destination) is open only from the Crystal River Trailhead to Port Oneida Road.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is asking the public not enter closed areas. These areas may still contain downed power lines and hazardous trees. By entering closed areas they are endangering themselves and the work crews. Also, when people enter areas with crews, work must stop – causing delays in the reopening of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore attractions. People entering closed areas may be ticketed by Lakeshore Law Enforcement Officers.