Land

Welcome to Milliken State Park

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(MI) Detroit Free Press – This park is the perfect way to honor the former governor, who was devoted to protecting Michigan’s natural resources and to ensuring public access to them — at the same time championing the state’s cities, especially Detroit; hence his “odd couple” relationship, as he called it, with Coleman Young. Milliken said he was far happier to have a park named after him than a building somewhere in Lansing. But he was at his best discussing how bad various kinds of divisiveness have been for Michigan and for metro Detroit. More

Recreation

Michigan recreation areas feel budget pinch

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By Nick Mordowanec
Oct. 17, 2009

LANSING, Mich. — Some Michigan recreation areas are having difficulty staying above water financially. Unlike most state departments the Department of Natural Resources receives most of its money from fees rather than general tax dollars. In 2004, the Legislature eliminated state funding for parks.

Recreation

Dredged silt from Lake Macatawa will be used as soil to help build parks in Ottawa County

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(MI) Grand Rapids Press – Reclaimed soil from the bottom of Lake Macatawa will be heaped on dry land this summer to help build parks in four area townships. As much as 200,000 cubic yards of dried lake silt will be distributed by the Holland Board of Public Works and the Army Corps of Engineers to build or improve parks in Fillmore, Laketown, Park and Zeeland townships. Since 1997, the Corps deposited the dredgings in a 48-acre containment facility at Waverly Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard. The facility now is full of nutrient-rich black dirt that will be hauled to the four townships and three other sites. More

Recreation

Leaves, leaks and lots of signs

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(MI) Detroit Free Press – What does it take to get Michigan’s state parks up and running for summer visitors each year? Although the parks generally stay open all year, many buildings are closed and staff is reduced over the winter. Here’s a look behind the scenes at some of the springtime work.We not only have the usual campground/day use area building openings, hiring or rehiring of about 40 employees, train/update staff on recent policy/law changes, and the numerous grounds maintenance tasks left from the residue of winter, but there also are a couple unique areas as well. More

Land

Spring opening at Isle Royale

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(MI) Detroit Free Press – Ever wondered what it takes to open up a park, ever wondered why close a park? Well, Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, which is 70 miles from its mainland headquarters in Houghton, is closed to visitors from Nov. 1 to May 1 every year. This is due to the isolation factor and the severe weather and lake conditions during the long winters, which make it virtually inaccessible. The only exception is for scientists and park staff who participate in the wolf-moose study, which takes place annually from January through early March.