Mother Nature has been doing its work at Presque Isle Park, eroding some shoreline sections of the popular recreational site.

A decade ago, the Marquette City Commission launched a study of island erosion areas which found that the west side of the island – which is actually a peninsula – was taking the worst beating. However, it took another two years before the city did anything about it. In 2007, riprap was placed along the shoreline just north of the pavilion to address the problem.

That was then. Now, the parking area at Sunset Point, on the island’s northwest side, is threatened. Superior’s surf has worn into the area up to 5-6 feet, with most of that damage coming in the past year or so. The 2005 study also recommended riprap be used there too, although the city committee that oversees the island isn’t necessarily recommending that – yet.

The Presque Isle Advisory Committee is studying the issue and will make recommendations to the Marquette City Commission, which has the final say. We recommend area residents participate in the process by attending the committee’s meetings and making their views known.

A schedule of the meetings is on the city’s website,

Under any circumstance, we trust the city – both the island advisory committee and the city commission – will move the process along quickly. Presque Isle Park is a community treasure that transcends city managers and city commission members.