Michigan City Parks and Recreation staff told the board on June 18 that the department is seeing recurring instances of very large holes — described by staff as up to 10 to 20 feet in diameter — being dug on city beaches and warned the public that such holes can collapse and pose danger to children and vehicles.

The superintendent said the department has monitored the problem for about three years and emphasized the safety risk: holes can collapse, bury children and damage vehicles. He noted that the holes are often discovered early in the morning by maintenance crews and suggested that police or lifeguards remind beachgoers on weekends to fill in holes when they leave. "They're a huge danger…I'd, you know, reach out to the public and say, please stop doing this," the superintendent said.

Board members discussed possible enforcement messages and an awareness campaign; staff suggested starting with social media reminders and asking police to tell beachgoers to fill holes when seen. The superintendent referenced national incidents in which a hole collapse killed a child and said some communities have banned digging large holes on beaches.

No ordinance change or enforcement action was adopted at the meeting; staff proposed beginning public messaging and coordinating with police and lifeguards to reduce the hazard.