Check Out A Michigan State Park

Michigan has wonderful state parks. In fact, we have 98 state parks and recreation areas.

The Michigan state park system celebrated its 90th anniversary this past year.

Interlochen State Park is our oldest state park. It was officially created in 1919 after the establishment of the Michigan State Park Commission by the Michigan Legislature. However, the park is actually two years older than that. The Public Domain Commission bought 200 acres for the park, at that time named The Pines, in 1917 for $60,000. This translates to $1,021,917 in today's money.

Our newest state park is William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor in Detroit. Phase Two of the park was just completed this past October. This is the state's first urban park. The park's 31 acres are located along the banks of the Detroit River. A 63 foot scaled-down replica of our Tawas Point Lighthouse is located at the entrance to the park's harbor. In September 2008, I was privileged to be able to view the park and lighthouse while on a Detroit River cruise. It was a beautiful day and the riverfront, park, harbor, and lighthouse were spectacular to see. I will admit, when a person is used to seeing our full-sized lighthouse overlooking Tawas Bay, it is a little disconcerting and disorienting to see a smaller version located on the Detroit River. It definitely catches your attention and makes you look at the lighthouse twice.

Our closest state park is Tawas Point State Park. Originally the park was even closer to the library than it is now. The East Tawas State Park was located at the foot of Newman Street along the lakeshore from 1920 to 1965. It was one of Michigan's 17 original state parks. After 5 years of planning and development, Tawas Point State Park officially opened for camping in 1966.

This summer you can "check out" one of Michigan's State Parks for free instead of having to pay the $6, day use motor vehicle fee. The East Tawas Library is part of the Park & Read program. This program allows a free, one-time, day visit to the Michigan state park or recreation area of your choosing.

To take advantage of the Park & Read program, just visit the East Tawas Library, obtain a library card if you don't already have one, and ask for your Park & Read pass. You must use your pass within 7 days of receiving it. The library was only issued 8 passes, so be aware a pass may not always be available. The program runs through the end of September. Due to the limited number of passes received, there will be no reserving, no renewals, and only one pass issued per family unit this summer. This will allow the maximum number of East Tawas Library patrons to enjoy our Michigan State Parks.

Here is the DNR's press release about the Park & Read program:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_36576-215611--,00.html