A few of our favorite things... Beaches

Mary Bohling
Urban Southeast Michigan Extension Educator
Beach: Sterling State Park beach, Lake Erie
Location: Monroe, off of I-75 at exit 15, Dixie Highway. Head east from the freeway.
Why: It stands out because it is so close to the urban areas of Southeast Michigan, yet you feel like you are “Up North” while there. The bird watching is phenomenal, the water is warm and the sunrises are amazing! My favorite memory at Sterling State Park Beach is from 2003 when nearly 150 people gathered for a sunrise service to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
See: Beach Details

Stephanie Ariganello
Associate Editor
Beach: Luna Pier Beach, Lake Erie
Location: Luna Pier, a small town in the extreme southeast part of the state, on the border with Ohio. Exit 6 off of I-75.
Why: As far as beaches go, the LP one isn’t that extremely beautiful but it is easily accessible for anyone in the southern part of the state (and it’s literally a few miles from my front door.) What really brought about appreciation, though, was its ability to surprise me. One day while exploring I came across what appeared to be yellow Styrofoam. Oh well, I thought, a cooler must have broken open or something and that’s where it came from. As I went to pick it up, I spotted more and larger hunks strewn all over the shore. They were freshwater sponges. I knew freshwater sponges existed in the world, but I had no idea there were any in Lake Erie. When I got home, I googled it and learned two things. The first was my initial introduction to Sea Grant, since Ohio Sea Grant had information on Lake Erie sponges (and how they could be helping kill off zebra mussels). The second was that I recaptured a little bit of wonderment. This was right there in front of me and I hadn’t noticed – what else was I missing?
See: Beach Details

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