May 31, 2011

Children in Bay County will have a new way to cool off this summer thanks to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of the Bay City State Recreation Area.

A groundbreaking ceremony is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, for the new "Spray by the Bay" water spray park to be constructed on the lakeside area of the Bay City State Recreation Area, located at 3582 State Park Dr. in Bay City. The universally accessible spray park overlooking Saginaw Bay will be located immediately west of the "Play by the Bay" playscape, built by the Friends' group and the DNR in 1997.

Phase One of the spray park is expected to be completed in July and in use this summer. Phase Two, planned for next year, will add even more features and amenities.

Spray parks are rapidly becoming a popular new way for families to safely enjoy the fun of water on hot summer days. "Spray by the Bay" will be the first spray park to open in Bay County and is the first to open in a Michigan state park.

The Friends' group has raised some $300,000 in contributions. Volunteer efforts and non-monetary donations from local citizens, businesses, foundations and other groups all are going into the Phase One completion.

The DNR is contributing to the project through proceeds from its Recreation Passport, a new vehicle entry pass system to the state parks. Bay County currently ranks 15th among the 83 Michigan counties whose residents are opting in for the Recreation Passport.

"Local residents have clearly expressed their support for their state park, and the dollars they contributed by purchasing their passports will add the 'Spray by the Bay' to what is already a premier state park," said George Lauinger, unit supervisor at Bay City State Recreation Area.

A Spray Park Endowment Fund has been established at the Bay Area Community Foundation to help provide maintenance in the years ahead. To donate to the fund, call 989-893-4438 or visit www.bayfoundation.org. For more information, email SprayPark@aol.com.

For details on the "Spray by the Bay" project, call the Bay City State Recreation Area, 989-684-3020.

The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.