Placemaking, Talent and the Evolving Role of Recreation in Managing Great Lakes Coastal Dunes

Session: 26. - Valuing Great Lakes Coastal Sand Dunes: New Science and Approaches

Brad Garmon, Michigan Environmental Council, [email protected]
Jonathan Jarosz, Heart of the Lakes, [email protected]
Elaine Isely, West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC), [email protected]

Abstract

Michigan’s world-class coastal dunes provide ecologic and economic value to our state’s coastal communities. They attract new residents and millions of visitors to our shorelines, and were even named “America’s Most Beautiful Place” by Good Morning America. However, the role of such landscapes has evolved in recent decades as talent attraction, “quality of life” and amenity driven migration have come to play a larger role in decsision-making. From “sand boarding” to fresh water surfing, fat biking to endurance running events, the parks and natural features of the Great Lakes shoreline and coastal dunes are increasingly – and differently -- vital infrastructure important to the success of community economic development and talent attraction efforts. In partnership with and support of a related university-based research project using an online survey and mapping tool to characterize these uses and values associated with Great Lakes coastal sand dunes, researchers and NGO partners engaged Michigan businesses and tourism agencies to better understand how dunes support attractive places with access to natural resources, parks and outdoor recreation. This included learning about the fast-changing world of outdoor recreation and community development, and partnering together to drive survey responses and generate improved localized data to help coastal dune recreation/tourism decisions.

1. Keyword
assessments

2. Keyword
coasts

3. Keyword
economic impact

4. Additional Keyword
dunes

5. Additional Keyword
outdoor recreation

6. Additional Keyword
placemaking