Anclam Beach In Line for Upgrades

Baileys Harbor may be the next town to catch the beach renovation wave.

A rendering of the Anclam Park revamp from Lakeshores Landscape and Design.

The town board approved a $500,000 plan produced by Lakeshores Landscape and Design Inc. of Carlsville to improve Anclam Beach. It now awaits an okay from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Sister Bay and Egg Harbor have each embarked on ambitious beach improvement projects in the last three years.

Before work begins the town will hold a public comment session to gather feedback and concerns about the project from residents.

The plan includes substantial invasive plant removal, according to John Meredith, owner of Lakshores and a registered landscape architect.

“It will require physical removal of the invasive plants, but then consistent monitoring in the future,” he said.

The renovation of the beach would maintain existing uses, Meredith said. That includes wind-surfing, swimming, kite-boarding, and the launching of 4th of July fireworks.

Landscaping would be added with vegetation to filter storm water runoff, and larger culverts installed in the stone jetty to improve water circulation. An asphalt boardwalk would run the length of the jetty for pedestrians, and it would remain open to responsible pet owners.

The detailed site plan for the Anclam Beach renovation from Lakeshores Landscape and Design, Inc.

“We tried to recreate a more natural shoreline where possible,” Meredith said. “We wanted to keep the beach open but create a good balance between nature and public use. Now it’s a desert with a lot of invasive species. We’ll make it more accessible for passive sports.”

Meredith said work could start this fall, but the completion date is unclear. It depends on whether the town wants to attack the project in phases.

Meredith’s company began working on the design last April, and said he’s received great input from users and town officials throughout the process.

“It’s a great collaboration between our services, the parks committee, and the town board,” he said.

A date for the public comment session has not yet been set.