Opponents to Harbor Shores Plan Cheer National Park Service Ruling

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

Tools

Opponents to Harbor Shores Plan Cheer National Park Service Ruling

The National Park Service blocked plans to use part of a Lake Michigan beach for a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus as part of the Harbor Shores development. Pictured is Jean Klock Park in Benton Harbor. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Oct 18, 2007 at 4:56 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 17, 2008 at 10:03 PM EST

(WSBT) A major part of a big development in Benton Harbor isn't on par with the National Park Service. It's blocked plans to use part of a Lake Michigan beach for a golf course. This course was the centerpiece of the Harbor Shores development.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

Opponents contended the plans violated the deed of the park and a court-ordered agreement reached in 2004. They consider the park service's decision a major, if temporary, victory.

“This looks better than Hawaii, better than anywhere else,” said James Duncan, a frequent driver. “This is the greatest place on earth.”

So the Friends of Jean Klock Park see the National Park Service’s decision as a victory in their quest to preserve the park they love so much.

“This park means a lot,” said Emma Kinnard. “There’s a lot of memories here. I was baptized here. There's been a lot of baptisms here.”

The developers of Harbor Shores want to use 22 acres of the park's interior for three holes of a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.

But the friends of the park say that plan would take away public access.

Alliance for World Class Communities President Mark Mitchell disagrees.
He told WSBT News the plan would actually provide more direct access to the beach.

“The park has been a part of Benton Harbor for 80, 90 years,” Mitchell said. “If you look at the facts of what we're doing as far as accessibility, we're trying to get more people to enjoy the park as opposed to limiting the access.”

Mitchell says changes to the plan should answer the objections raised by the National Park Service. The friends of the park say their fight is not over.

“This is a gift,” said Carol Drake, with the Friends of Jean Klock Park. “This park was given to the people of Benton Harbor in 1917. It’s the 90th anniversary this year and they want to want share it. They want to keep the park.”

The developers of Harbor Shores plan to resubmit their proposal to the park service in about a week. They say other parts of the development are proceeding as scheduled. They still plan to have the course completed by Memorial Day of 2009.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

Current Temp 33.8

More Weather

WSBT Weather

More Weather

On Demand

iPhone
Get the WSBT News and Irish Sports Report apps for your iPhone! Read more »
On DVD
Order a DVD of a WSBT news story! Read more »
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter! Read more »
Facebook
Connect with us on Facebook! Read more »
WSBT E-News
Daily StormTracker e-mails right to your Inbox! Read more »
Video On Demand
Miss a story on WSBT News? Watch it here! Read more »
CBS Shows
Watch CBS shows and news online, free! Read more »
WSBT Alert
Breaking News & Weather right to your cell phone! Read more »
Mobile
WSBT News on the go for your cell phone or PDA. Read more »
RSS Feeds
Get news and updates as soon as they're published. Read more »

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.