Michigan was recognized with another first place recently with the 2011 National Recreation and Park Association gold medal for top state park system in the nation.
Michigan was given the 2011 National Recreation and Park Association gold medal for top state park system. Photo: Trent Strohm (flickr)
This honor comes after Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes was named the most beautiful place in America in August.
The association considers long-range planning, resource management and addressing the needs of park visitors to make its decision. The other four finalist states are North Carolina, Florida and Missouri.
Programs like the Recreation Passport, an optional $10 fee for Michigan drivers that renew their licenses that gives them access to all Michigan state parks, tipped the scales toward Michigan.