Bay Area Chamber President's Commentary

by Michael D. Seward, CCE, President & CEO

October 11, 2013
By: Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Bay County has over 37 miles of Great Lakes coast bordering the Saginaw Bay. Yet, where do our residents go when they want to see the waves and water of our shoreline?

Where do you take visitors who want to see the Great Lakes where you live?

There are extensive protected areas along the Saginaw Bay for wildlife, including Wigwam Bay, Nayanguing Point, Quanicassee Wildlife Area, Wildfowl Bay, etc. But public shoreline access areas for people to use and families to enjoy are difficult to find. Even visual access points where the Saginaw Bay can be easily seen are limited.

Bay County is partnering with the DNR to explore what waterfront amenities the public would use and would want to see developed at the Bay City State Recreation Area (BCSRA) to improve access to the bay front. We aren't talking about massive development. However we want to explore recreational features that would draw people to visit the bay.

Please come to the Public Input Workshop October 21st 4:00-6:30 pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bay City Michigan and offer ideas and input on what you'd like to see to create better access to our own Great Lakes Bay shoreline. The public is invited.