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Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area is Open to the Public SAUGATUCK TOWNSHIP, MICH. (Associated Press) -


The Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area is open to the public for recreational use, thanks to a conservation group that has transformed 171 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline sand dunes into a preserve.

Officials for the Land Conservancy of West Michigan on Tuesday officially marked the moment during an unofficial ceremony in Saugatuck.

April Scholtz, land protection director of the Grand Rapids-based group, tells The Grand Rapids Press that the $19 million purchase of the property about 160 miles west of Detroit has been a "roller-coaster ride."

The conservancy bought the land from Aubrey McClendon, co-owner of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. Funding sources included a state grant and private donations.

The Land Conservancy will lease the property to Saugatuck for $1 annually.

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Information from: The Grand Rapids Press, http://www.mlive.com/grand-rapids
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