The Friends of Sleepy Hollow State Park will be hosting a dedication ceremony for a newly installed playground at the park on Saturday, Sept. 6, beginning at noon. The public is invited to attend the short ceremony and enjoy a complimentary root beer float.

The Friends of Sleepy Hollow have been working on this project since the fall of 2006. This project was made possible through fundraisers as well as contributions from park visitors. In early 2007, Friends President Barry Jubek located a surplus playground, and assembled a group of local volunteers to dismantle and haul the playground to Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg. Local resident Joe Braska was instrumental in the effort to deliver the playground equipment to the park.

The Friends group will continue its efforts to add additional pieces including swings. Those interested in contributing to the second phase of the project may make a donation at the park office or at Don's Country Store on Round Lake Road in Laingsburg.

"This has been a long time coming and we are very excited to hold this formal dedication," Jubek said. "A great number of labor hours and some generous donations made this playground a reality. We will recognize the businesses that contributed to the project by placing a permanent plaque at the playground site."

The Friends of Sleepy Hollow would like to thank the following business/individuals that contributed to this project: Don's Country Store, Laingsburg; Dennis Trailer Sales, Lansing; Doug & Katharine Johnson; Dr. Jerry Skaryd, Chesaning; Dr. Michael Liddell, DeWitt; Gold Wing Road Riders Chapter U; Joe Braska; Lansing Area Federal Credit Union, Lansing; Meijer, DeWitt; Main Beverage Co., Owosso; Reed Insurance, DeWitt; Sam's Kitchen, DeWitt; Shafer Concrete, Albion; Simon Brothers Trucking, Fowler; Spag's Party Store, Bath; St Johns Kiwanis Club, St Johns; Valmarco, St. Johns; and WalMart, St Johns.

The Friends of Sleepy Hollow, a non-profit organization consists of individuals and families who have joined together to "adopt" Sleepy Hollow State Park. The goal of "Friends" is to enhance, promote and preserve the natural resources of Sleepy Hollow State Park for present and future generations to enjoy. "Friends" hold open meetings at the park at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

Sleepy Hollow State park is located at 7835 E. Price Rd. near Laingsburg, north of Lansing. For more information about this event, the park, accessibility at this park, or persons with disabilities needing accommodations to attend this event, contact Tim Machowicz, supervisor of Sleepy Hollow State Park, at 517-651-6217 (or TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) at least seven days prior to the event, or view information about the accessibility at the park at www.michigan.gov/sleepyhollow. To make a camping reservation, go to www.midnrreservations.com or call 800-44-PARKS (7-2757)

All motor vehicles entering a park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.