Laketown Township supports state's effort to buy Rosenberg property

Evan Sasiela, Holland Sentinel
·2 min read

LAKETOWN TWP. — Laketown Township has thrown its support behind the state's efforts to purchase more than 20 acres of forested duneland on the lakeshore.

The state is applying for a $3 million grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to purchase the Rosenberg Property.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution July 12 to support the state’s plan. The Parks and Recreation Commission, on July 19, instructed Chair Jeremy Van Hoven to write a letter of support.

Laketown Township has tried to preserve the Rosenberg Property for more than two decades, according to a release. The property is roughly 23 acres, with 290 feet of beach frontage on Lake Michigan. It's located at 4036 Hillside Trail.

“This rare opportunity doesn't come about too often, as land along the lakeshore stays locked in families for generations,” Van Hoven wrote. “Having this land available for public use and recreation would be ideal, as it would help link to trails that are already established within the Saugatuck Dunes State Park.”

Projects aided by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund provide natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. The board that controls the fund recommends grants to the Michigan Legislature in December for approval.

The Holland Board of Public Works purchased the land from the Rosenberg family in 2001 for $1.5 million, according to the release. There was an idea, then, to build a second water treatment facility on the property, but the project was abandoned due to developments in the water system.

Lake Michigan is visible through the trees at the Rosenberg Property, 4036 Hillside Trail in Laketown Township.
Lake Michigan is visible through the trees at the Rosenberg Property, 4036 Hillside Trail in Laketown Township.

Holland voters in 2022 approved selling the land, which is now listed for $4.449 million through Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt. The property has structures on it, including an A-frame house.

The state, in its application, noted the property “is located immediately adjacent to the north of Saugatuck Dunes State Park with road frontage from Hillside Trail Road” — and said preserving it would improve quality of life for residents and provide access to recreational opportunities.

The application noted "several lots adjacent to the property have already been developed." Van Hoven said the state’s purchase would keep the land undeveloped and natural.

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“We are fortunate to have so much of our critical dune area locked into the state trust and this parcel would be a great addition,” Van Hoven wrote.

Laketown Township attempted to acquire the property more than 20 years ago, before HPBW, but the application was rejected.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.

This article originally appeared on Ionia Sentinel-Standard: Laketown Township supports state's effort to buy Rosenberg property