Warren Dunes State Park
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| Warren Dunes State Park | |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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| Location | Berrien County, Michigan |
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| Nearest city | Sawyer, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 41°54′45″N 86°35′16″W / 41.9125°N 86.58778°WCoordinates: 41°54′45″N 86°35′16″W / 41.9125°N 86.58778°W |
| Area | 1,952 acres (7.9 km²) |
| Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
Warren Dunes State Park is a 1,952 acre (7.9 km²) Michigan State Park, that is located along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Berrien County, Michigan. This park's large sand dunes and lakeshore beaches make it one of the most popular of Michigan’s state parks with an average of about one million visitors annually.
Large sand dunes are found throughout the park. Some of the park's dunes include ones named Mt. Fuller, Pikes Peak, and Mt. Edwards, with the most significant one being Tower Hill, the highest point in the park, which stands 240 feet (73 meters) above the Lake Michigan. This dune is the one that is most visible to visitors, many of whom delight in scrambling up its slopes and rushing back down again. Sandboarding is a popular sport here, and easy access to the dunes make it a popular location to practice this sport
This sand dunes and beach area was preserved by the local businessman, Edward K. Warren, who purchased the site with the sole intention of preserving the fragile environment. By 1930, the Warren Dunes area had been taken over as a state park. [1]
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[edit] Facilities and activities
- Hiking (Four miles of trails)
- Cross-country skiing
- Swimming
- Beach House
- Designated Watchable Wildlife Site
- Playground
- Picnicking
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelter
- Camping
- Concession/Store
- Metal Detecting - Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreational activity when it is conducted in ways that do not damage the natural and cultural resources in Michigan State Parks nor violate applicable state statutes. Use a map that shows clearly where this activity may take place. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation.
- Hunting - Most of the park north of the beach area is open to hunting for part of the year.
- Skygazing--The clear skies allow viewing many more stars than in most populated areas.
- Clay painting: Walking about a mile up the creek which empties into the lake just south of the beach leads to large beds of light gray clay, through which the creek flows. At this location uninformed visitors partake in an unsanctioned and environmentally damaging practice. Mixed with the creek water, clay makes body/face paint which can be worn home, but is much more commonly washed off by another swim in the lake. Clay painting has a negative effect on the park environment due to the amount of clay that is introduced to the creek water through man made erosion and dispersion. Clay particles in the water create a turbid water environment (Turbidity). [1] Turbid water can also have negative health effects if ingested, the higher the turbidity level, the higher the risk of that people may develop gastrointestinal diseases. These health hazards are particularly concerning due to the amount of small children and infants who play in the creek at the lake shore.
- Creativity: This park is big and often not crowded, so a great testing ground for beach activities and equipment. For example, it was the inspiration and development site for the Beach Buggy, a self-contained mini-kitchen which could be wheeled to a family's water-side picnic site.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Warren Dunes State Park- Michigan DNR
- Warren Dunes Area - Images
- Photos, Weather, & Maps - Unearthed Outdoors
- World Database on Protected Areas - Warren Dunes State Park
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Warren Dunes State Park |
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Turbidity is a measure of cloudiness in water. The more turbid the water, the murkier it is. Turbid waters become warmer as suspended particles absorb heat from sunlight, causing oxygen levels to fall. (Warm water holds less oxygen than cooler water.) Photosynthesis decreases with lesser light, resulting in even lower oxygen levels. Suspended solids in turbid water can clog fish gills, reduce growth rates, decrease resistance to disease, and prevent egg and larval development. Settled particles smother eggs of fish and aquatic insects.
