June 9, 2009
The Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to Sleepy Hollow State Park near Laingsburg for the kick-off celebration of Michigan State Parks' 90th Anniversary Celebration (1919-2009) on Saturday, June 20. DNR Director Rebecca Humphries will be present to help with the cake cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Other elected officials have also been invited to attend.
"I am pleased to help celebrate the 90-year legacy of the Michigan state park system," said Humphries. "The park system is certainly a vital asset to the citizens of this state and the state's tourism industry."
Activities will take place at the picnic shelters in the day use area between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Numerous activities and programs have been planned beginning at 11 a.m. The Friends of Sleepy Hollow State Park will host a petting zoo and hayrides. Visitors will also be able to see a variety of canoes and kayaks presented by Gun Lake Paddlesports, Summit Sports and West Marine. "Alien Invaders" will be the focus of several nature hikes, and DNR's Fisheries and Wildlife staff will be on-hand with various fish mounts, furs, skins and fishing demonstrations.
Members of the Friends of Looking Glass River and Michigan Trail Riders Association will present exhibits from each organization. Naturalist Bill Redding will be giving a Mountain Man presentation, and will also join the hayrides doing third person presentations.
All across the state, parks and recreation areas will host events and activities, and the cake cutting ceremonies will occur simultaneously at 4 p.m. at most locations. Many Michigan businesses have partnered with the state parks and recreation areas to hold events and presentations and help celebrate the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks.
For a complete listing of partners and events taking place across the state on June 20th, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr, under Recreation, Camping & Boating. GO-Get Outdoors, enjoy the events and your Michigan state parks and recreation areas, and join us in this celebration.
Sleepy Hollow State Park is located at 7835 East Price Rd. near Laingsburg, approximately five and one-half miles east of the Price Road exit off US-127. For more information about the events at Sleepy Hollow State Park, camping opportunities, accessibility, or persons needing accommodations to attend this event, contact the park at (517) 651-6217, or visit www.michigan.gov/sleepyhollow. Camping reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling the DNR central reservation system at 800-447-2757.
Although all events are free, all motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.
Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks (1919-2009) this year. Events are being posted at www.michigan.gov/dnrgogetoutdoors.