Natural area now belongs to Saugatuck

SAUGATUCK, Mich. (AP) - A 173-acre natural area now belongs to the city of Saugatuck in southwest Michigan.

The Grand Rapids Press reports Saturday that the acquisition of the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area marks an end of decades of discussion about acquiring the land for public use. It also follows five years of private fundraising and grant-writing.

The land includes dunes, wetlands and forest, 1,650 feet of the Kalamazoo River and 3,650 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline. It will be open to the public for some recreation activities such as hiking, fishing and bird watching.

Saugatuck took possession of about 50 acres last year while leasing the rest for $1 per year since 2009 from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. The conservancy bought the property for $19 million.