*** This cache placed with the approval of the Norton Shores Parks Department ***
Bring your own pen.
Lake Harbor Park is a 189 acre park located on Lake Harbor Road, just north of the Mona Lake Channel. The park has over 4,000 feet on Lake Michigan, 2,000 feet on the Mona Lake Channel and 1,500 feet on Mona Lake. One can access this park by foot, bike, car or boat.
Lake Harbor Park began with the City's acquisition of the former Swett property in 1980. With the completion of the new Lake Harbor bridge, roadway and paved parking lot in 1982, access to the park was enhanced. The park increased in size with the acquisition of the C.W.C. sand mining property and the Mona Shores school property in 1994. Whitey's Woods, an additional ten acres, was added to the park in 2000. The park now encompasses 189 acres.
The walkway along Mona Lake provides an ideal fishing area. The walkway passes under the bridge and leads to a picnic area overlooking the channel, complete with tables, grills, shelter and restrooms. A new scenic deck overlooking the channel was completed in 2000.
Going west from this walkway, an interpretive trail leads to the dunes, a wooden walkway with observation decks and a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan. There is also a wooden walkway leading from the beach to a trail through the Whitey's Woods acreage. There are also many other natural trails leading to Lake Michigan. Some require a little more climbing than others. They lead you through wooded areas and provide you with the opportunity to see and explore the entire park. The picnic area has approximately 18 picnic tables, as well as a picnic shelter with room for 8 tables. This shelter can be used, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year.
Park Rules:
Park hours - 5 am - 10 pm
Only emergency and service vehicles allowed in the park.
No animals are allowed on the beach. Dogs are permitted, on a leash, in all other areas of the park.
No fires are allowed outside of the picnic grills.
Trash containers are for picnic trash only.
No lifeguards are on duty. Swimming is permitted only in the beach area. No swimming, diving or jumping from the bridge, pier or boardwalk.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Picnic tables are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Camping is not allowed in the park.