The landscape of Jean Klock Park has changed since it was founded in 1917. Photo by Katie Johnson

By KATIE JOHNSON

katie@offthewater.com

“Perhaps some of you do not own a foot of ground, remember then, that this is your park, it belongs to you. Perhaps some of you have no piano or phonograph, the roll of the water murmuring in calm, roaring in storm, is your music, your piano and music box.”

— John Klock, during 1917 dedication ceremony

On an overcast day, the sky meets the water, blending into an almost continuous spectrum of blue-gray hues. The sand wraps the shore, creating a strip of muted color. Seagulls caw overhead as bees dart from flower to flower in the grassy dunes.

Jean Klock Park is a place that really showcases the beauty of Lake Michigan: the wind, the rolling dunes, the endless water. This is why people live here; this is why many more wish they did.

In 1917, John and Carrie Klock deeded a half-mile of lakefront to the City of Benton Harbor. They made their 90-acre contribution in memory of their late daughter, Jean Klock.

Today, the park features swimming and hiking opportunities, an observation trail, a pristine beach, concession stand, playground and restroom and changing facilities.

However, Jean Klock has seen recent changes not only to its layout in general but to its landscape. Whether or not you believe the changes are much-needed improvements depends on which side you are on of the controversial battle ensuing over the lands.

Seven years ago, Benton Harbor announced it would be selling some of the park for residential development.  A group of citizens calling themselves “Friends of Jean Klock Park” brought forth a lawsuit against the city to stop the sale of the land. A settlement in 2004 allowed for nearly four acres of the park to be sold for residential housing but would protect the remaining acreage from development. Over the years, the park had been reduced from 90 acres to about 73 acres because of highway construction over one section of the park.

“The purpose of Friends of Jean Klock Park was to protect the park as the Klock family intended,” said Carol Drake, vice president of the Friends of Jean Klock Park. “It was difficult because of all the media attention … claims were made that no one used the park. The city locked it up.”

Harbor Shores maintains that the $1.5 million it has invested in park renovations has not only preserved its integrity but made it better.

“It wasn’t very well attended,” said Ron Eng, director of marketing for Harbor Shores. “Now that they can park so close to the beach, it’s gotten a lot more use.”

The park is currently operated by the City of Benton Harbor and maintained by Harbor Shores as part of an agreement.

Eng said they have installed a new access road and parking at the beach, refurbished the bathhouse and rebuilt the boulevard, among other renovations.

“There used to be a boulevard on the west side by the dunes, (but it) was covered with sand,” he said. “We basically rebuilt the boulevard where it used to be (30 year ago).

“Along with that, the city was given 38 acres of land, most of it is along the Paw Paw River,” Eng said.”There are walking trails that connect those pieces of land with Jean Klock Park.”

Harbor Shores is investing about $115,000 per year to maintain the park.

Eng said that the Jean Klock Park location was chosen as part of its golf course because of its proximity to the lake shore.

“I think the biggest thing was the views of Lake Michigan,” he said. “It’s an incredible golf course as is … people like the aspect of playing in the dunes, and once you get over the dunes, the views are breathtaking.

“It’s an asset we wanted to uncover,” Eng said.

After the 2004 settlement, the Friends group learned of Harbor Shores’ plan for a golf community that would eventually encompass more than 530 acres.

“The following year, we incorporated and began our long battle to stop the development in the park only — not the golf course,” Drake said.

“You don’t take 100,000-year-old sand dunes and turn them into a golf course,” she said, claiming the park is now reduced to “15 usable acres.”

Two lawsuits are currently pending: one with the Friends of Jean Klock Park in the Michigan Supreme Court, and the second in federal court with a second group of six residents loosely known as “www.protectjkp.com.” The federal lawsuit is not only targeting Harbor Shores, but the City of Benton Harbor, Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service.

“The reason this park is important is because the shoreline across the Great Lakes is extremely rare, and getting rarer,” said Terry Lodge, a Toledo, Ohio attorney representing the plaintiffs in the federal case. “It is highly valued and extremely expensive. Privatizing a big piece of it diminshes the public’s ability to enjoy the lake.”

The plaintiffs in that case allege the developers sidestepped environmental guidelines when constructing the three holes located in the park, and did not disclose to the public pollution problems caused during Benton Harbor’s long industrial history.

An emergency order to stop the bulldozers in September 2008 was dismissed in January 2010. The action was repealed, and the Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, City of Benton Harbor and Harbor Shores have until this fall to file a response. Lodge said he expects oral arguments in early 2011.

Harbor Shores opened all 18 holes July 1. Its official grand opening is Tuesday. The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, will be home to both the 2012 and 2014 Senior PGA championships.

“I just think overall, we believe our work in Jean Klock Park is going to be beneficial to the community and all its visitors,” Eng said. “I think it’s obvious when you go out there now people are enjoying it.”

Jean Klock Park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is located on Jean Klock Road in Benton Harbor. There is a $2 entrance fee per vehicle.

To learn more about the park, call the City of Benton Harbor at (269) 927-0300 or visit www.goswm.com and click on “Parks.”