Public Road End Controversy

The battle between lakefront property owners and backlot owners over the right to maintain docks at public road ends continues on unabated. While numerous court rulings over the years have established the principle that publicly dedicated streets terminating at the edge of navigable waters are generally deemed to provide public access to the water, those public access rights are limited in their scope.

Permissible uses of public road ends by menbers of the public include the rights to use the surface of the water in a reasonable manner for such activities as boating, fishing and swimming. Also incidents of the public's right of navigation are the ability to construct a public boat launch and to anchor boats temporarily in the water adjacent to a public road end. However, the courts have generally held that the right of public access does not include the ability to install private docks or boat hoists for the overnight mooring of boats, or the right to use public road ends for lounging, sunbathing or picnicking.

Although the bulk of the controversy surrounds the use of public road ends on Houghton and Higgins lakes, there is currently a public road end case pending in Charlevoix County involving a Walloon Lake road end.

If you are looking at buying a backlot property which supposedly has "water access", make sure you consult a real estate attorney prior to any purchase to determine exactly what rights, if any, inure to the benefit of the owner of the backlot.


Illegal Docks Spark Lake Access Fight [Detroit News]

2006 Michigan's Fun Kick-Off in Charlevoix

The Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Festivals and Events Association (MFEA) are teaming up to present the 2006 Michigan’s Fun Kick-Off which will be held at Castle Farms on April 28 - 29, 2006. Be sure to bring your family to enjoy the following events:

Friday, April 28
5:00pm – 10:00pm Carnival Midway – Castle Farms.

Saturday, April 29
10:00am – 5:00pm MichiganFun Art Fair – Castle Farms.

10:00am – 6:00pm Kids’ Kingdom with special guest Ronald McDonald –
Castle Farms.

11:00am – 7:00pm Flavors of Michigan (A Wine Brew & Food Infusion) –
Castle Farms.

Noon – 10:00pm Carnival Midway – Castle Farms.

8:30pm – 9:30pm Musical Entertainment by Mojo & the Boogieman –
Downtown Charlevoix in East Park.

9:45pm (Approximately) Fireworks Extravaganza –
Downtown Charlevoix over Round Lake.

Sunday, April 30
12 Noon – 5:00pm Carnival Midway – Castle Farms.

Bay Harbor Makes List of Top 10 Ports

Bay Harbor made the list of Top 10 cruising destinations in Motor Boating Magazine's March, 2006 issue. Here is the full list.

1 Bay Harbor, Mich. Located on the south shore of Little Traverse Bay, this manmade harbor has become a Midwest favorite, although it was created only 12 years ago.

2 Charleston, S.C. A natural stopover for coastal and ICW cruisers, this walkable city has beautiful houses and gardens to admire, plenty of transient dockage and marine services of every kind.

3 Exuma Cays, Bahamas This 90-mile long chain of islands south of Nassau includes deserted beaches and brilliant coral reefs.

4 Key West, Fla. There’s great fishing, historic homes and restaurants of all kinds in a subtropical setting unlike any other U.S. port. And they don’t call it Margaritaville for nothing.

5 Nantucket Island, Mass. Quaint cobblestone streets and colonial architecture are paired with upscale shops and restaurants, and you’ll see some of the most beautiful boats in the country.

6 Newport, R.I. It has a well-protected harbor, a busy social scene, a rich history and "cottages" to die for.

7 San Diego, Calif. San Diego Bay and Mission Bay have waterfront restaurants, marinas and services, plus the U.S. Navy’s presence—an endless source of activity.

8 San Juan Islands, Wash. Navigating the channels of the San Juan Islands is like driving through the mountains on saltwater highways.

9 Southwest Harbor, Maine Perhaps the best known of Mount Desert Island’s storied harbors, it’s home to Hinckley Yachts and Somes Sound and presided over by mountainous Acadia National Park.

10 St. Augustine, Fla. A visit to the oldest city in the U.S. (circa 1565) must include a tour of the Castillo de San Marcos to absorb the pre-colonial Spanish influence.

Congratulations, Bay Harbor! That is some pretty good company you are keeping.

Top Ten Ports [Motor Boating]

MDOT Approves Funding for Harbor Springs Bike Path

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently approved funding for the completion of the Little Traverse Wheelway from its current dead-end at the intersection of M-119 and Pleasantview Road into the City of Harbor Springs.

The three mile extension of the existing path will run on the north side of M-119, and approximately two of the three miles will be located a safe and significant distance away from M-119.

MDOT approved a total of $958,473 for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2008. This is one of the last remaining links to complete the trail between Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs.

M-119 Bike Path Funding Approved [Harbor Light News]