The Friends of Sleepy Hollow State Park (FOSH), a friends organization that raises money and performs projects to support the state park, located in Clinton County, was named a Department of Natural Resources Partner in Conservation at the April 2 meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. FOSH has contributed to the park by raising funds and completing projects that support and promote the park. There are a total of 25 registered families, individuals and businesses that make up the FOSH.

"Friends groups such as the Friends of Sleepy Hollow State Park, often provide us with the ?extras' that make a park an even nicer place to visit," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "FOSH has aligned their mission with that of the DNR ? to enhance, promote and preserve the natural resources of Sleepy Hollow State Park for current and future generations to enjoy."

Among the many projects undertaken by FOSH are:

• The annual Park Clean Up Day, which is organized over a two-day period and involves up to 225 volunteer hours. Local Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups also assist FOSH with this activity.
• The "Take a Sack" program which has built receptacles, provided bags and engaged sponsorships for trash bag dispensers for bags that can be used at the park.
• Assisting with "Harvest Days" and "Ichabod Crane Days" festivals for campers.
• Raising more than $12,000 to provide equipment and labor to purchase and construct a play structure at the park's main camping area.
• Supplied funding for the purchase of an automatic external defibrillator for park use and an electric-powered cart and wheelchair for use by disabled park visitors.
• Supported the development of a community "Back Roads" brochure listing rural businesses near Sleepy Hollow.

In addition, FOSH has planted more than 300 trees and various flowers in the park; supported the efforts of a local Eagle Scout to improve a trail and signs at the park and provided funds for an additional 500 yards of beach sand, which resulted in an immediate increase in use of the beach by the public. FOSH also supports a recycling program at the park; provide volunteers for fishing programs for urban youths; provided funds for programs such as Search and Rescue dogs, the state parks' Explorer program and fishing tournaments; and purchased seeds and planted one acre of Michigan wildflowers at the park.

"The work of the Friends of Sleepy Hollow has helped enhance the park and the visitor experience at the park," said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR's Parks and Recreation Division. "They provide a great deal of support to the staff at this park, and help us with projects we simply don't have the funds to tackle."

FOSH also received a 2008 Community Service Award from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association.

For more information on Sleepy Hollow State Park, visit the park's Web site at www.michigan.gov/sleepyhollow. Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks this year. Activities are planned throughout the year. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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