Duluth Has Expanded Park Point Erosion Measures

The city has added more fencing and native grass to trap sand and protect the shoreline from Lake Superior waves.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Environmental

Weathered wooden snow fencing amidst sandy dunes and native grasses on a shoreline under a cool, overcast sky. — Duluth officials have installed additional snow fencing and native grasses along Park Point to stabilize dunes and mitigate ongoing shoreline erosion from Lake Superior waves. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Duluth officials recently planted 1,000 plugs of native grass on Park Point to help combat ongoing shoreline erosion. This initiative builds on previous efforts to stabilize the dunes and prevent sand from accumulating in residential areas.

Why it matters

The project serves as a temporary defense against wave-driven damage while addressing the loss of sediment caused by local ship entry breakwalls. By stabilizing the dunes, the city aims to reduce long-term damage to the Lakewalk and surrounding infrastructure.

Crews have installed fencing covering a 1,000-foot stretch that has successfully captured an average of one foot of sand. Additionally, 75% of the 3,000 grass plugs planted last year have survived to anchor the dunes with fibrous root networks.

The players

City of Duluth

This local government agency manages public infrastructure and coastal protection projects for the city.

Army Corps of Engineers

This federal agency is responsible for investigating coastal erosion and maintaining navigation channels.

The details

City staff use wood snow fences to trap blowing sand, while crews use native grass to build up dune height. The effort follows destructive storms in 2017 and 2018 that severely damaged the Lakewalk and eroded protective dunes on Park Point.

The Army Corps of Engineers renourished the beach in the 1930s.
Major storms destroyed dunes and segments of the Lakewalk in 2017 and 2018.
The city installed initial fencing and 3,000 grass plugs during 2024.
City crews installed a second fence in autumn 2025.
The city planted 1,000 additional grass plugs in September 2026.

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Deeper Dive

The erosion management project on Park Point follows the destructive path carved by the 2017 and 2018 storms, which necessitated a shift toward active dune stabilization. The current restoration efforts mark an attempt to mitigate the long-term impact caused by the damage sustained during those specific storm events.

Residents can expect improved protection for local properties as sand accumulation in yards and streets is reduced. The stabilized dunes also help maintain the integrity of the public Lakewalk, ensuring continued access to the waterfront for the local community.

The takeaway

Proactive dune management helps bridge the gap between temporary fixes and long-term coastal engineering solutions. Residents living near sensitive coastlines should monitor local environmental updates regarding future plantings and planned structural interventions.

What happens next

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently conducting a study to determine a permanent solution for shoreline erosion and will propose potential fixes for damage attributed to the breakwalls.