Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/category/recreation-2/page/29/)
Outdoor, resource-based recreational activities.
Throughout the 20th century large investments of time and money were made to help restore big game populations across the U.S.
Many of these efforts were successful and continue today. But they may be short lived.
The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 is widely considered to be the defining tragedy of the region. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the storm that claimed the lives of more than 250 people and destroyed 19 ships. Now that tragedy is coming to the stage. “The Great Storm,” a play directed by Warren L. Robinson, follows the stories of two families whose worlds are shaken by the disaster. The play is part of the three-month long “A Remembrance of the Great Lakes Storm of 1913“ event, established by the Port of Goderich in Ontario and a group of volunteers in the Lake Huron community.
Michigan lawmakers are looking to create a new wildlife council to educate the public about the outdoors and the role of hunters, anglers and trappers – using money from hunting and license fees.
Blackrocks, at the Presque Isle Park lakeshore, hosts an unofficial yet well known tradition: cliff jumping, about 20-30 feet into the (sometimes frigid) waters of Lake Superior.
With hundreds of shipwrecks scattered across the bottom of the Great Lakes, divers have access to an unrivaled underwater playground. The freshwater environment lends itself to preserving shipwrecks so well, some ships look ready to board. Divers tempted to swipe an artifact for their mantle or crank a wheel and pretend to sail away could be fined or even imprisoned. A recent documentary aims to educate those with misguided intentions before it gets that far. “Sunken Treasure: Preserving Michigan’s Shipwrecks” was recently released by the Michigan Underwater Preserve Council to foster respect of Great Lakes shipwrecks and preserve the fragile ecosystems that surround them.
Hiker Chris Hillier is set to blaze a new trail from southeast to northwest Michigan.
Michigan government, tourism and business officials hope the route cements the state as the number one trail state and boosts local economies.
The National Park Service and MichiganTrailMaps.com have produced new trail maps of a pair of Lake Michigan islands near Traverse City, Mich. North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, have been added to MichiganTrailMaps.com’s Classic Trails of Michigan map series. Each map illustrates trail grades, primitive roads, maintained trails and unmarked modern and historic pathways. They also mark historic sites, ruins, natural features, elevation changes and hiking amenities found throughout the islands. Each map costs $4.95, and are available at the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Centers, MichiganTrailMaps.com, the Manitou Island Transit ferry company and outdoor shops throughout the state.
Dan Procter has spent seven years restoring Duluth’s Chester Park Trails using nothing more than hand tools. After recent flooding, Procter was the only man up for the task of repairing the damage. The main trail has since been named after him, and members of the Duluth community reflect on his hard work and inspiring attitude.
The chair of Michigan’s Waterways Commission has a plan to generate new revenue for inland and Great Lakes harbors — require state registrations for non-motorized watercraft.
