Friends of Deerlick, a group of concerned citizens that value the Deerlick Creek area's history, recreational use and wildlife habitat, is partnering with South Haven Township and the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy to raise funds to purchase 2.1 acres at the end of 13th Avenue (often called "Deerlick" because of the creek that enters Lake Michigan at the site).

Fundraisers for Deerlick will include selling bags of sand and chair massages during Harbor Fest June 16 and 17 in front of Captain Nemo's, an ice cream social with chair massages on July 14 from 5:00 - 7:30 pm at the South Haven Township Hall, and a rummage sale on August 11 and 12. If you would like to volunteer or donate items for these events, please call Marcy Colclough with Friends of Deerlick at (269) 288-3767. For more information, please visit www.deerlickcreek.com.

Further, tax deductible donations for helping to purchase Deerlick can be made out and sent to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC), 6851 S. Sprinkle Road, Portage, MI 49002 (be sure to put "Deerlick" in the check memo.). SWMLC is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization created by local residents in 1991 to preserve the natural, scenic, and historic landscapes in the nine counties of southwest Michigan. Since 1991, SWMLC has protected over 5,300 acres. Visit www.swmlc.org for more information on SWMLC.

The Deerlick area is not like any other shoreline. The stones found along the shores were deposited by glaciers and aren't common in other areas. There are several wetlands in the area; many migratory songbirds utilize the Deerlick Creek woodlands and great horned owls nest in the Deerlick Creek ravine area. The Deerlick Creek area is home to fox, wood ducks, turkey, deer and five woodpecker species. There is a shipwreck about 50 feet from the Deerlick Creek/13th Avenue access. With water levels down, swimmers can easily gain access to this shipwreck from the shore.
Most everyone thought that the Deerlick Beach area was for public use, but it is not. Actually, the public only legally has the right to access the lake (walk from the road end to the water). Currently, the beach area is private property and the public does not have the right to picnic or utilize the beach area for sunbathing or other activities.
However, the Deerlick property owners are willing to sell land to South Haven Township to create a public park. The current proposal is for South Haven Township to purchase 2.1 acres that would include about 170 feet of Lake Michigan frontage and 0.82 acres of wetlands and floodplain along Deerlick Creek. South Haven Township will be submitting a grant proposal to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for one million dollars this August. Locally, $400,000 needs to be raised to match these grant funds. Businesses that have donated items or provided services and assistance to help with fundraisers to date include: Maple Grove Tavern, Captain Nemo's, Ambrosia, Sherman's Dairy, Kalamazoo Center for Healing Arts, Reliable Disposal, Ma's Coffee Pot, D&L Sales, McDonald's, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bear Claw Coffee, Save-A-Lot and Village Market.

South Haven Township has a unique opportunity to purchase 2.1 acres from a developer to preserve the current Deerlick Creek/13th Avenue access to Lake Michigan. The 2.1 acres includes over 170 feet of Lake Michigan frontage and 0.82 acres of wetlands and floodplain along Deerlick Creek. Friends of Deerlick is partnering with the South Haven Township Board and Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy to purchase the Lake Michigan property to expand public uses and benefits.

For Immediate Release February, 2006
Deerlick Creek

The priority goal is to raise $400,000 locally to match a $1 million grant from the state by May 31, 2006. All money raised locally will go towards the purchase of the 2.1 acres and every dollar raised will be used to leverage $4 in grant funds. We have a very short timeline to accomplish this goal. Please support the efforts to protect the public's access at Deerlick Creek by making a tax-deductible donation. Checks can be made out to "Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy" with "Deerlick" in the memo and sent to:
SWMLC, 6851 Sprinkle Road, Portage, MI 49002.
Please call 269-767-2765 or 269-639-1910 if you have any questions or want to become more involved in the future of the Deerlick Creek area.

Deerlick Creek and the 13th Avenue road lake access has a long history with area residents and also provides precious habitat for many animals, fish, birds and plants. The 13th Avenue road end is the most used and accessible Lake Michigan access in South Haven Township. The current access is gently sloping and allows for easy viewing of Lake Michigan from your car, additionally the gentle slope also allows for those with physical challenges or small children to access the beach and lake.

Deerlick Creek is a designated trout stream and residents have smelt dipped there for years. Residents and visitors to the South Haven area have used the Deerlick Creek beach area for a century. There are several wetlands in the area; many migratory songbirds utilize the surrounding woodlands and great horned owls nest in the Deerlick Creek ravine area. Bird watchers have spotted a few rarities such as Yellow-throated and worm-eating warblers. The location provides an excellent vantage point to view ducks, which congregate in the winter off the mouth of the creek. There are often all three species of scoter and a Harlequin Duck has been spotted. The Deerlick Creek area is also home to fox, wood ducks, turkey, deer and five woodpecker species. Another feature of the site is a shipwreck located only 50 feet off the shore of the Deerlick Creek/13th Avenue access. Swimmers, canoeists, and kayakers can easily gain access to view this shipwreck at this location.

Please send a donation today. All levels of support are appreciated. Please contribute what you can to help achieve the goal of securing and expanding the Deerlick Creek public access site to Lake Michigan for current and future generations. Thank you!