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Spicer Group outlines Crystal Lake outlet plan; residents urge wildlife protections
Summary
Spicer Group presented the Crystal Lake Outlet Project and indicated it may seek $5,000–$10,000 in next year’s Parks and Recreation budget for maintenance; local residents asked for site-plan changes to protect wildlife and woodlands.
Spicer Group representatives presented the Crystal Lake Outlet Project to the Benzie County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23, 2025, outlining the project concept and anticipated maintenance needs.
Ed Hoogterp of Spicer Group said the project team would likely request "$5,000 to $10,000" in next year’s Parks and Recreation budget to provide maintenance for the park. Commissioners and staff discussed citizen concerns about site design, long-term maintenance responsibilities and where funds would come from if the county were responsible.
Resident Tadge Juechter, who said he uses the Betsie Valley Trail in the area, told the board that trail users were "not opposed to an upgrade to the park, but would like to see some changes to the site plan to help protect and preserve wildlife and woodlands." Chair Art Jeannot asked commissioners receiving written communications on the subject to forward them to the county administrator so those documents could be shared with all commissioners.
The presentation prompted discussion about maintenance funding and environmental protections; Spicer Group and county staff did not present a finalized funding source at the meeting. Commissioners signaled that written feedback from residents would be collected and provided to project managers for consideration prior to any funding decision.
