Spring Programs beginning to emerge in Michigan’s State Parks

Go RVing

Signs of spring are beginning to emerge in Michigan’s state parks, and that means the beginning of the parks’ Recreation 101 programs. Check out some of the events planned to Go Get you Outdoors, moving, and looking forward to the start of a new season. Events are free of charge unless noted otherwise. Registration for Recreation 101 programs is suggested. For details, call the individual parks.

March 10 
Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County) – Intro to Night Skies 
Hosted by the University Lowbrow Astronomers, Intro to the Night Skies will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Chilson Pond behind the park headquarters at the Brighton Recreation Area. Peer through different telescopes to observe what’s hanging out in the skies just out of sight of the human eye. The club is providing all the equipment and will instruct participants how to set up a telescope, where to find star charts and planet locations, and how to pursue the activity on your own. The free event should last about an hour. For details, call the park, 810-229-6566.

March 24 
Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County) – Intro to Horses 
The Brighton Recreation Area Riding Stable will provide an introductory educational opportunity to learn about horses during the Rec. 101: Intro to Horses event taking place at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24. Topics include what a healthy horse looks like, to horseshoe or not to horseshoe, how to properly fit a saddle and groom one of these magnificent animals. The event is free and should last about an hour. For details, call the park, 810-229-6566.

April 7 
Maybury State Park (Wayne County) – Annual Easter Egg Hunt 
Join the DNR and Friends of Maybury State Park for their egg hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7. No child leaves empty-handed at this annual event. Prior to the egg scramble on the soccer field there will be games and activities at the Concession Building as well as a meet and greet with park celebrities, Smokey Bear and the Easter Bunny. For details, call the park, 248-349-8390.

April 13 
Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County) – Rec 101: Intro to Healthy Outdoor Cooking 
There’s more to outdoor cooking than hot dogs and s’mores. Find out how to incorporate exciting, tasty, healthy cooking methods into your picnic and camping meals by joining the cooking class taking place at 6 p.m. Friday, April 13 at Island Lake Recreation Area. Instruction will also be offered on how to start the perfect campfire and use a camp stove. The program, presented by Chef Dawn Bause, will be demonstrated over a fireplace, campfire ring and portable camp stove. Chef Bause is an accomplished gourmet chef and recipient of the 2010 Hometown Health Hero award for her efforts in promoting healthy cooking in the state of Michigan. This is a free event. For details, call the park, 810-229-7067.

April 20 
Maybury State Park (Wayne County) – Rec 101: Intro to Healthy Outdoor Cooking 
There’s more to outdoor cooking than hot dogs and s’mores. Find out how to incorporate exciting, tasty, healthy cooking methods into your picnic and camping meals by joining the cooking class taking place at 6 p.m. Friday, April 20 at the Concession Building off the 8 Mile Road entrance at Maybury State Park. Instruction will also be offered on how to start the perfect campfire and use a camp stove. The program, presented by Chef Dawn Bause, will be demonstrated over a fireplace, campfire ring and portable camp stove. Chef Bause is an accomplished gourmet chef and recipient of the 2010 Hometown Health Hero award for her efforts in promoting healthy cooking in the state of Michigan. This is a free event. For details, call the park, 248-349-8390.

April 22 
Ionia Recreation Area (Ionia County) – “Why I Run 5K” 
The “Why I Run 5K” race begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at the Ionia Recreation Area. The 5K run through the park is a fundraiser for the Strong Kids campaign benefiting the children of Ionia County. Also includes an optional 10K and Kids Fun Run. Registration details are available at www.runningfoundation.com or contact the Ionia YMCA, 616-527-5760, ext. 1.

April 22 
Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County) – Weed Whacker 5K Fun Run and Rec 101: Intro to Trail Running 
The 5K Fun Run and the educational Intro to Trailing Running start at 9 a.m. The Garlic Mustard Stewardship Pull goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 22 with the first 100 volunteers getting a coveted Volunteer Weed Whacker T-shirt and a huge thank you from the Dirt Crew. Show up with your garden gloves ready to do battle at Half Moon Lake Beach. Register for the race and download the liability waiver at www.runningfit.com. No registration required for the free Intro to Trail Running portion. For details, call the park, 734-426-4913.

April 28-29 
Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County) – 26th annual Running Fit Trail Marathon Event Weekend 
The Half Marathon Run/Walk/Hike event that starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Crooked Lake Trail at Pinckney is expected to draw some 500 participants. Sunday’s events include the Marathon, 50K, and Road Ends 5-Mile races starting at 8:30 a.m. Trails will be marked with blaze ribbons the day of the events and will be unmarked after the last finisher on Sunday. A life support ambulance crew will be located at Silver Lake Beach. Drivers will have a course map and will be in communication with five checkpoints that will be manned during the races. Each checkpoint will have first aid supplies. No same-day registration is permitted; however, registration for the Sunday event will be cut off at 1,100 runners. The events are part of the No Wimps Challenge and Serious Series. For details, visit www.trailmarathon.com, www.runningfit.com or call the park, 734-426-4913.

Recreation Passport
Recreation Passports are required of all vehicles entering the state parks. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.