The Department of Natural Resources invites the public to attend public open houses scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7, to review and comment on the future use and management of Hartwick Pines State Park.

Two public sessions will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center in Hartwick Pines State Park.

The management plan is being developed by the DNR, in cooperation with public stakeholder input. It will guide the future uses and management of the park for the next 20 years. The public is invited to review a presentation on this management plan and provide comments.

"Hartwick Pines has a tremendous history," said Ron Olson, chief of DNR Parks and Recreation. "As part of the management planning process, we encourage the public to attend and be a part of the future plans for Hartwick Pines State Park."

Hartwick Pines State Park is located at 4216 Ranger Rd., northeast of Grayling at Exit 259 (M-93/Hartwick Pines Road Exit) off of I-75, and three miles north off M-93.

For information about the management planning process, the open house, or persons with disabilities needing accommodations to attend, should contact Troy Rife, district planner, at 231-775-9727, Ext. 6012 at least seven days prior to this event. For information about the park or accessibility at the park, contact the park at 989-348-7068 (or TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/hartwickpines.

All motor vehicles entering a state 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.