Cost-cutting Measures Sought for Jetty Repair

High water and waves have damaged Anclam Park and pier in recent years. Photo by Myles Dannhausen Jr.

To hold down costs on repairs to the Anclam Park jetty, Baileys Harbor’s town board suggested a scaled-back project this month. Waves and historically high Lake Michigan water levels during the past two years have damaged the pathway and trail on the jetty, forcing a trail closure.

Town engineer Steve Parent recently presented the board with possible costs of repairing the trail – first with gravel, then with asphalt and with concrete – ranging from $5,000 to more than $30,000.

Board members suggested a fourth possibility: a temporary fix of filling washed-out spots with gravel, hauling in soil and planting grass for a green pathway on top of the jetty. Parent said topsoil has been at a premium in Door County, but a town official said there’s actually excess topsoil at the town’s Green Site. Parent then said the costs could be reduced if the town provided some of the topsoil.