Dec. 23, 2008

Mackinaw City, Mich. - Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) recently received the first-ever Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) Teamwork Award for its revitalization of Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park.

According to Naomi Krefman, HAL's organizational development officer, the award was created by HAL Director William Anderson to recognize the outstanding work of employees who best exemplify the value of teamwork. Teamwork, as defined by HAL, means to focus on what can be done together, sharing information, resources and energy to achieve the vision for HAL and for the people of Michigan.

"We are very honored to receive the first-ever HAL Teamwork Award for the Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park project," said MSHP Director Phil Porter. "The award not only recognizes the success of the project but, more importantly, our teamwork process that emphasizes diverse and inclusive membership on our project committees."

The implementation in 2008 of the Adventure Tour and many other interactive elements at the park was a culmination of three years of diligent effort by MSHP and its eight-member Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Team. Representatives from all areas of the park, including museum programs, park operations, development and marketing, and administration, brought a wide variety of skills and knowledge to the project. From conceptualization of the new logo to the finalization of the interpretive elements of the park, each major milepost in the implementation was thoroughly debated and thoughtfully discussed by the entire team.

"The project provided an opportunity for staff from various work areas to think broadly about the entire site, from interpretation to food service," said Steven Brisson, MSHP chief curator and team chairman.

Due to the revitalization of Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, there was a 31 percent attendance increase in the 2008 season, with over 51,000 guests visiting the park and 18,500 visitors participating in the Adventure Tour.

The Adventure Tour is a three-stage nature tour that takes visitors high in the treetops on the 165-foot long, 50-foot high Forest Canopy Bridge, sponsored by Mackinac Associates, where a park naturalist points out life in the forest canopy. Visitors then enjoy a park-naturalist-guided tour down a short path through the lush forest as they walk to the Eagle's Flight Zip Line. Here they soar down the 425-foot zip line over Mill Creek as they look for trout replicas planted in the creek below. From there, adventurers partake in Michigan's only vertical nature trail, the 40-foot high Nature Trail Climbing Wall. As they ascend this nature trail, fitted safely in harnesses with an auto-belay system, they push buttons to hear the calls of birds.

The Nature Trail Climbing Wall is mounted on the side of the new Treetop Discovery Tower. By climbing up the stairs of this 50-foot tower, visitors will view the northern Michigan terrain from an eagle's-eye view. The tower offers a spectacular view of not only the wooded park, but the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinac Island and the Mackinac Bridge.

The youngest adventurers enjoy the new Forest Friends Play Area, where children 10 and under can play on the large climbable fiberglass animals, including a bear, beaver and frog. Bronze animal track castings let children place their hands over animal footprints.

The Water Power Station - sponsored by Presque Isle Electric and Gas Co-op, the local Touchstone Energy Cooperative - is a new learning and play station for both children and adults. This splashy station features interactive 18th-century water wheel replicas.

Log onto www.MackinacParks.com to learn more about Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a pure Michigan family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Its sites - which are accredited by the American Association of Museums - include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park and Historic Downtown on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks' rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at (231) 436-4100 or on the Web at www.MackinacParks.com.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).