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The latest Wilderness Association news, recent official documents, and resident-requested postings, all in one place.
Announcements
Welcome to garlic mustard season!
Our annual nemesis (clearly in cahoots with the potholes) has returned to the Wilderness in full vigor. If you are a new neighbor unfamiliar with this invasive plant or if you need a refresher on identifying, pulling and properly disposing of it, please check out this link: https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/plants/herbs/garlic-mustard
As most of you know, garlic mustard toxifies the soil endangering other plant life. As such, it must be pulled and disposed of before going to seed. It will be flowering soon and it’s best to pull it both before it flowers and/or very soon after – in either case, before it goes to seed (likely late May).
Although residents are responsible for removal from their own property, volunteers are needed to help pull and dispose of plants in common areas and in the woods. If you are willing to help eradicate this Wilderness pest, we would really appreciate your support.
Group pulling events are planned for the following dates and times but you are free to help at any time that works for your schedule:
May 11 (Mon), 11am - 12:30 pm
May 26 (Tue), 6 pm - 7:30 pm
May 29 (Fri), 12 pm - 1 pm
Large trash bags will be provided near the tennis courts. Garlic mustard may be disposed of in the regular trash.
Key areas of infestation include not only the area just east of the courts, but a large hill + valley approx. 0.5 mi from the start of the ridgeline trail (look for the flexible orange stakes) in addition to areas north and south of the front gate along Lakeshore.
If you have further questions or need help identifying or learning to pull garlic mustard, please don’t hesitate to call me. I will send reminders via email shortly before the dates listed above.
Thank you for your support to keep the Wilderness free of garlic mustard!
Mary Ellen Mika
616-292-9189 maryellenmika@gmail.com
Messages from residents
2.
Wally Ewing:
Sunday noon on June 1 the Wilderness Path work crew performed their annual feat of laying and grooming the wooden walk to the beach. On hand with strong backs, shovels, weeders, and willing attitudes were Mary Ellen Mika, Jane Ewing, Mark Hauser, John Job, and Wally Ewing (not pictured). Ever efficient, they had the job done in record time. Let's hike to the beach!
3.
KEEPERS OF THE PATH
In the spring of 2015 Jane and I hired Grand Haven contractor Todd Bosgraf to design, construct, and lay the wooden path to the Wilderness Beach. It is made of ipe, a durable wood that grows in the rain forests of Brazil. The many six-foot sections make a flexible but stable walkway. In the first few years, there was no need to protect the path from winter storms. However, in 2022 persistent winds blew across the dunes and buried the path under more than three feet of sand and covered most of the two memorial benches. This called for action to prevent a recurrence. Since then, attending to the wooden path to the Wilderness Beach has become an annual fall and spring event. On a Sunday morning this November, Wilderness neighbors Larry Burns, his son-in-law Jackson from Chicago, and Mark Hauser joined Jane and me at the Wilderness Beach to roll up western portions of the wooden path and carry the two benches to high ground to protect them from powerful fall and winter winds. In previous years, a shovel brigade included Larry Burns who brought several family members with shovels over their shoulders, Mark Hauser and his nephew Hanes from Royal Oak who offered the largest number of shovels per household, Laird Schafer with his pole digger, Tat Noll who came with another shovel and joy, John Job and Mary Ellen Mika who added a broom and yet more shovels, and two watchful dogs. I am grateful for their generous help.
The walkway has endured well. It is sturdy and shows no signs of weathering, except for the mellow driftwood color of the ipe. The path makes it easier for people to trek over the dune destined for the beach, especially those with wagons, strollers, walkers, canes, infants, umbrellas, foldable chairs, and all manner of beach gear in bags. That is just about everyone.
Wally Ewing
You cannot be neurotic on the beach.
2022 Path excavation
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