National Parks

National Parks in Michigan need $50 million. A new law might help

By • Aug 5, 2020
Flickr user abarndweller

The ferry dock at North Manitou Island, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is in need of repairs from constant dredging. The park is strapped for millions to fix up buildings at its historic farm and village properties and rebuild an overlook on the park’s Scenic Drive. For years, the park hasn’t had the money to fix aging infrastructure.

 

Broken glass spread along Sleeping Bear Dunes beach

By Taylor Wizner • Apr 16, 2019
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

 

The National Parks Service says broken glass was purposely placed in the sand along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The glass was found near Good Harbor Picnic Area at the east end of Lake Michigan Road in Cleveland Township.

Park Rangers say it was spread evenly across several hundred yards. They say the pieces looked like they had been broken recently, and would have injured beachgoers if stepped on.

Study will track Isle Royale moose after wolves introduced

By Taylor Wizner • Mar 27, 2019
Credit Seth Moore

Researchers are studying moose on Isle Royale to learn the impact of predators on the island.

Volunteers maintain Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

By Taylor Wizner • Jan 11, 2019
Snowshoeing at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
NPS.gov/Kerry Kelly 2007

Updated Jan. 15, 2019: As of Saturday National Park maintenance workers have begun plowing and picking up trash.

While many federal employees continue to be out of work during the partial government shutdown, about 30 volunteers are filling in for park rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 

Members of the non-profit group Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes have emptied trash receptacles, cleaned and restocked bathrooms, and groomed 20 miles of trails around the Lakeshore.

Historic Sleeping Bear Inn taken off the market

By Aaron Selbig • Jun 28, 2017
National Park Service

The National Park Service is scrapping plans to lease out the historic Sleeping Bear Inn in Glen Haven. The two-story inn was built in 1857 and has not been unoccupied since the 1970's.

Old-growth forests show what Michigan looked like before Paul Bunyan

By • Mar 3, 2017

In some parts of Michigan, there are forests that can take you back in time. Old-growth forests of towering trees offer a rare glimpse at what Michigan looked like before the logging boom of the late 1800's.

Donald Dickmann, a professor in Michigan State University's Department of Forestry, told Stateside where visitors can see stands of old-growth trees in Michigan.

Poet turns park information signs to art

By • Sep 1, 2016
The National Park Service printed Moheb Soliman's poems using the official colors and iconography.
Moheb Soliman

It’s a hot Saturday afternoon in Leland, Michigan. The sun is out and a lot of people are visiting Fishtown. Sonja Vanderveen is up visiting from downstate. She’s standing in front of a National Park sign, with poetry on it.

“There were towns, and beaches spooning," she reads. "There was longing, and belonging. There was plenty of parking, and abandon lots. There was sunset. Three scoops of peach high and as wide smeared." 


GVSU's New Music Ensemble plays national parks to commemorate centennial

By • Jun 29, 2016

Grand Valley State University’s award-winning New Music Ensemble will be on tour this summer commemorating the National Park Service centennial. The group will be premiering new compositions inspired by the four parks they’ll be performing at: Bad Lands, Wind Cave, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks.