Some of the old CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) buildings were still present, and there were buildings, originally a girl scout camp, across the river from the Hamlin Lake beach. He remembers a wooden toboggan run that started on a hill to the west of Cedars Campground, and went east across the present campground to end in a swampy area. It was lighted at night, but eventually closed because it wasn't safe. Over time, the facilities that could not be maintained have been removed, but others were preserved. The dam has been repaired, the amphitheater built, a nature center built, then destroyed by heavy snow loads, the beach house restored, and about five trail shelters removed due to structural failure caused by erosion. Many of the breakwalls built by CCC personnel have fallen apart. Trails have changed. When eagles moved on, the Eagles Nest trail became part of another. The Beechwood Trail is now part of the Coast Guard Trail. In the 1950s, dune buggies, now prohibited, carved new roads in some areas. Nature is slowly covering their tracks and the traces of the early logging roads and camps.
FLSP has also changed since 1992. While still concerned with the park as a whole, it has recently adopted a philosophy of making it more accessible to all. Notice the handicap accessible playground and the new kayak launch facility. A handicap accessible canoe/kayak route with no portages is being considered.
Dave has many interests including the continued preservation of the historical structures within the Ludington State Park (LSP). He is also a conservationist who promotes the proper use of our natural resources through behind-the-scenes involvement . Although he prefers to be a hermit, and tries to avoid joining any organization, in 1992 the potential value of the Friends of Ludington State Park led Dave to be a founding member of FLSP and he has been a Board Member ever since. He conceived and laid out the canoe trail route in the ponds to the south of the park center.
Dave and his wife, Chrissie, enjoy calling Ludington home. They have resided here since returning in 1990, and try to hike in the park at least twice a week, year-around. But the hills seem to be getting higher and the trails steeper.