For years, rockhounds have traveled to Grand Marais in search of the Lake Superior agates and other rare minerals that make the region one of the premier rockhounding destinations in the Great Lakes.

However, for individuals with mobility challenges, accessing the shoreline’s best rock piles has been nearly impossible — until now.

A dedicated effort led by the Grand Marais Rock and Mineral Show, alongside Burt Township and surrounding communities, has resulted in the upcoming installation of a new handicapped-accessible pathway on Agate Beach.

This initiative, which began in 2019, was fueled by a shared vision: ensuring that everyone, regardless of physical ability, could experience the joy of rock collecting along the Lake Superior shoreline.

“Our beach is known for its variety of rocks and minerals,” said Karen Brzy, chairperson of the rock show and one of the key figures in the initiative. “Although the boardwalk extends a few hundred feet toward the shoreline from the parking area, the end platform is still 170 feet from the shoreline, which is where the rocks are at.”

For years, many visitors faced significant obstacles in reaching the prized agates and minerals that drew them to Grand Marais in the first place.

For some, the challenge of reaching the shoreline has meant relying on the kindness and strength of loved ones.

Last summer, a devoted husband carried his wife down to the rocky section of the beach, where she sat joyfully as he gathered rocks for her. Though a touching act of love, it underscored the pressing need for a safer, more inclusive solution. The new walkway will allow people like her to experience the beauty of Agate Beach without having to depend on others to navigate the difficult terrain.

For Laurie Vandenzande of Grand Rapids, the beach has long been a place of joy, but also difficulty.

“I take medication for my heart, and I have arthritis in both knees,” she said, explaining how standing for long periods and walking far distances have become increasingly challenging. “Walking on a beach … walking on sand … has been challenging for me since my first foot surgery when I was 39.”

The breakthrough came in January, when the Burt Township Board approved the purchase of a portable, rollout access pathway. The Grand Marais Rock and Mineral Show contributed $14,000 toward the $20,000 to $25,000 project, ensuring that the dream of accessible rock collecting would finally become a reality.

The new pathway includes a Mobi-Mat, a durable, non-slip mat system that provides a stable surface for wheelchairs, walkers, electric scooters and strollers. The mat sections interlock to create a continuous, safe and comfortable rolling surface.

A switchback ramp will also be installed at the end of the existing boardwalk, making it easier for visitors to transition from the elevated platform to the beach.

Once installed, the Mobi-Mat will extend from the end of the boardwalk north toward the shoreline, providing a direct and stable route for visitors with mobility challenges. Additionally, a T-shaped section will extend east and west near the shoreline, allowing multiple users to access the rocky sections of the beach simultaneously. This design ensures that visitors will have ample space to explore without congestion, making it a significant improvement over the current accessibility options.

Julie Moyer of Muskegon also knows firsthand how difficult navigating the beach can be.

“The deck is great — it gets us closer, but there’s still a lot of beach before the water and the rocks, which is of course what I wanted to get to,” she said.

On a trip in May 2023, she slipped while navigating the uneven sand and tore all three hamstring muscles, an injury more common in professional athletes than in casual beachgoers.

“Having the walkway would provide me with a safe walk from the deck to the water,” she said, relieved that her next visit will be much safer.

Fundraising for the project was a true community effort. “Businesses, residents, rock dealers and show attendees all helped in the effort,” Brzy said. “This includes not only people from Grand Marais but also from surrounding communities.”

While the Grand Marais Rock and Mineral Show can no longer fundraise for the project due to structural changes, Brzy is pleased that Burt Township has taken the lead in making the pathway a reality.

Burt Township has committed not only to purchase the Mobi- Mat but also to handle its seasonal upkeep. The mat will be installed in the spring, maintained throughout the summer and removed and stored in the fall.

With the new pathway in place, individuals who once struggled to access the shoreline can now experience the excitement of rock collecting firsthand. Whether they are lifelong rockhounds or first-time visitors, everyone will have the opportunity to explore the incredible variety of minerals and stones found along the Lake Superior shoreline.

For Moyer, the new accessibility means peace of mind. “We did go back up a year later,” she said. “My kids didn’t want us to walk to the water, but we did, and I made it — but I was scared.”

This year, she looks forward to returning without fear: “I won’t have to worry this year when we come up. I can hardly wait for spring.”