A park's general management plan defines a long-range (10- to 20-year) planning and management strategy that protects the site's natural and cultural resources and provides access to land- and water-based public recreation and educational opportunities. A management plan consists of three primary components:

• Purpose and significance statements that define the unique identity of the park.
• 20-year management zones that reflect the resource protection goals and levels of development appropriate for given areas.
• 10-year action goals to work towards the desired future condition.

The plan should ultimately serve as a roadmap that will help guide park management and careful decision making. The key to this process is active involvement of DNR staff, other state agencies, stakeholders (such as other recreation providers and user groups) and the public. Public input is an integral part of the development these plans.

When the DNR began developing general management plans in 2005, they were divided into two phases: phase 1 included the purpose and significance statements and management zones, and phase 2 defined action goals. Beginning in 2014, the process was simplified and the phases are now combined into one plan.

View plan process and timeline »