Stairway to Heaven: Restoring Access to Lake Michigan’s Overlook

State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The Story

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, established in 1963, is located along the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline south of Muskegon. It offers campsites, beach access, a visitor center, and hiking trails. A highlight of the park is the 4.1-mile pedestrian loop trail featuring a dune climb with a 193-step wooden staircase. This stairway leads to the top of one of the tallest parabolic dunes in the park, providing stunning views of Lake Michigan.

The decades-old stairway had come to a point where it needed replacement. Leaning posts, sagging stairs, and rotting timbers caused safety and accessibility concerns. The initial plan was to replace both the stairway and observation deck at the same time, but budget availability resulted in first replacing the stairway, which was the most crucial part to replace.

Due to the site’s remote location and sensitive environment, careful methods were needed to deliver construction materials without damaging the critical dunes. The area’s dense woods and steep slopes limited access, making small-wheeled vehicles the best option for transporting and installing materials.

Hoffmaster State Park staff led the team to design a longer-lasting replacement for the dune climb stairway and observation deck that increased the size, improved the view at overlooks, and widened the walkways to allow a safer and more appealing environment for educational events. A crucial element of this project was to improve the experience of thousands of students who visit the site every year to learn about the dune environment. This historic, unique, and valuable feature of Hoffmaster State Park will see more visitors and opportunities in the decades to come.

Our Role

  • Design Engineering
  • Structural Engineering

Contact

Matt Hulst, PE
Project Manager
231-798-0101

Awards

Public Works Project of the Year Historic Restoration – 2024

Category: $1 Million to $5 Million

American Public Works Association – Michigan Chapter

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