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Sterling State Park

girl walking on beach

Sterling State Park

The DNR is in the process of developing a new general management plan for Sterling State Park in Monroe County. The process typically takes one year to complete, and is in the beginning stages. The project is facilitated by Beckett & Raeder Inc., of Ann Arbor. Public and stakeholder input will be a critical part of the process

A park's general management plan defines a long-range (10- to 20-year) planning and management strategy to protect and preserve the site’s natural and cultural resources and provide access to land- and water-based public recreation and educational opportunities.

Public input

To help develop the draft plan, visitors, local community members, stakeholders and others interested in sharing their opinions, ideas and experiences were invited to participate in an online public survey. The survey is now closed and a summary of the results will be posted soon.

The next step will be to complete the draft for a new general management plan, which will be available for public review in late summer 2023 .

About the park

Sterling State Park is the only Michigan state park on Lake Erie, located just a few miles from the Ohio border and approximately an hour from Detroit. The park is situated along 1 mile of sandy shoreline and is home to a modern campground, full-amenity cottages, a boating access site, trails and more. There are plenty of opportunities for shoreline and off-shore fishing.

The park protects more than 500 acres of Great Lakes marsh and restored lakeplain prairie habitat and is well known for its access to walleye and perch fisheries.

Contact

For more information, contact Debbie Jensen, park management plan administrator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, at JensenD@Michigan.gov.