Over the last few years I've watched an increase in foot traffic at Hoffmaster State Park cause significant damage to some of the park's largest, most impressive dunes. In some part, I think things might be helped by placing educational signage along key access points (trails, boardwalks, and the ridges usually hiked for dune access).

The portions of the dunes which are easiest to hike are also some of the most vulnerable to damage. Shrubs, grasses, and trees hold the loose sand together with their roots. The ground stabilized by these plants naturally makes for the best footpaths, but if hikers aren't careful they can cause damage or uproot plants -- and over time, if enough harm is done, entire sections of the dune can fall away. It can be so easy to do damage that I think most people would come away totally unaware that they'd had an impact.

With millions of dollars being put into the park for renovations over the last few years (and a projected 4.3 million to be spent on updating the visitor center and facilities in the coming year), I think now is the perfect time for a project like this.

My hope is that this might help minimize the negative impact hikers can have on the dunes, and people can continue to enjoy them as they are for generations to come.