Apr 13 2008
Outdoor News Digest: Parks Edition
The Leelanau Enterprise reports that 100 acres along the Cedar River near Cedar, MI in the NW lower peninsula have become a nature preserve:
The 100-acre plot is home to diverse wildlife and plant populations and provides the only walkable access to hundreds of acres of state land — reasons, Habich said, he decided to sell the property to the Leelanau Conservancy last month.
The swath of forested wetlands east of Cedar was the last privately owned property along the Cedar River, also known as Victoria Creek, between there and Lake Leelanau. The property links the Pere Marquette State Forest with Solon Township Park and, with the Cedar River Natural area along Lake Leelanau, and brings the area’s total contiguous public acreage to 1,800 acres, Leelanau Conservancy officials said.
“The first big land purchase we ever did … we purchased 120 acres at the mouth of the Cedar River. And now upstream, the last piece that was still in private hands we were able to buy this year, 20 years later,” Conservancy Executive Director Brian Price said of the $225,000 deal. “What it means is the entire waterway from Lake Leelanau up to the village of Cedar is protected and open to the public.”
More than 90 acres of the tract consist of wetlands forested with pockets of tamarack, eastern hemlock and white cedar. The remaining upland acreage along Schomberg Road serves as the only access from a public road north of the river.
Spring is the time that many park cleanup and trail maintenance projects take place. The Ann Arbor News has the story about “Capture the Trash,” a competitive trash pickup event in the City of Ypsilanti’s parks:
The event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., pitted teams of four against each other to see who could find the most man-made trash and the most unusual or largest piece of garbage. There also were awards for the muddiest team and the team with the most spirit.
The teams scoured Riverside and Frog Island, and then planned to move on to the downtown and Depot Town area, organizers said. “It makes the parks look nicer and hopefully it will attract more people to come,” said EMU junior and participant Ashley Longaker.
John Foley, an EMU consultant in storm water management, said events like Capture the Trash can help get rid of garbage that would otherwise run off into local streams.
“The trash is one of the principal causes of degraded water resources,” he said.
“We’re all part of a larger goal. We’re all part of the community, and that’s why we’re here,” said EMU volunteer Donna Bobcean.
The Ludington Daily News has a review of properties up for review under the MI DNR’s continuing program to review the status of state land holdings:
Lake County
In Lake County, the DNR is retaining 108 parcels totaling 1,002.74 acres, and no parcels were recommended for an alternate conservation organization such as the Manistee National Forest. A total of 721 parcels totaling 640.6 acres were recommended for disposal. The parcels recommended for retention have public water access, recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, provide access to other state land and for boating access. Parcels slated for disposal are limited in size, are isolated subdivision lots or possess no significant natural resources.
Manistee County
In Manistee County, 31 parcels totaling 348.23 acres will be retained under DNR ownership, while 41 parcels totaling one acre will be offered to an alternate conservation organization. A total of 29 parcels totaling 7.03 acres were slated for disposal. The parcels retained have recreation opportunities, public water and boating access. The parcels targeted for disposal are limited in size or are isolated subdivision lots. The commission also reviewed boundary changes in the Manistee River State Game Area in Manistee Township, state forest land in Springdale and Cleon townships and on the Little Manistee River Weir in Stronach Township.
The Detroit News has a report on park improvements planned for Wayne County’s Van Buren Township:
A second, $600,000 project at 30-acre Riggs Heritage Park began Monday. Parks officials plan to transform 12 acres of the former, 1930s farm site off Huron River Drive and Martinsville into an historical recreation area. The plans, slated for completion by June 30, include a Victorian-style pavilion, rain gardens and prairie grass, 10-foot-wide walking and biking paths and a 32-space parking area.
The township acquired the Riggs site in 2003.
“The community is really interested in preserving the farm and its heritage,” Mulkey saidBut some residents, including Rosanna Helton worry the new features will attract vandals.
“I don’t want it. It will bring in more kids from outside areas late at night,” said Helton, 50, whose home is next to the pathway leading into Haggerty Park.
“These kids are always destroying stuff … this isn’t going to be good unless they can secure it.”
The Detroit News has the following Wayne County tidbit:
• $350,000 awarded for bridges: The state awarded the township $350,000 in grants to construct six pedestrian bridges along a 3 1/2 -mile pathway next to the lower Rouge River, officials announced Thursday.
The Traverse City Record Eagle has a detailed review of the controversial new management plan for the Pigeon River Country State Forest in the NE Lower Peninsula:
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to keep horseback riders to certain trails and campgrounds, while setting aside other trails for bicyclists. Some forest users contend it will infringe on their right to traverse public land, but state officials say changes will benefit the forest.
Campers who travel by horseback may be restricted to just a couple of places in the forest, and could see a loss of 15 campsites. Also, only the northern spur of the Shore-to-Shore Riding Trail may be open to horseback riders, along with county roads, designated forest roads and certain service trails, for a total of about 280 miles.
That’s a far cry from the wide open spaces where horseback riders currently meander in the 118,000-acre state forest.
Lax enforcement there allowed horseback riders to grow accustomed to going cross-country and making unauthorized trails, said Mindy Koch, DNR resource management deputy.
“We know we need to get more control over the equestrian use. We know there’s been some abuse, going cross-country and creating new bridle trails,” she said.
Numerous trails of any type detract from the wild nature of the forest, which is specially managed to maintain that character and avoid resource degradation, Koch said.
“We’re not trying to take anything away, but maintain the Pigeon as a special place,” she said.
Also, biking in the forest could be restricted to the High Country, Shingle Mill and Pickerel Lake pathways, plus county roads and designated state forest roads, for a total of about 300 miles.
WLUC TV 6 in the UP has a story about a whirlpool that has opened in the ice near Grand Island National Recreation Area. Also, a local resident has a neat post about offshore currents near the Munising-area island:
MUNISING — The Alger County Sheriff’s Department has notified TV6 that a whirlpool has opened up on the ice on Lake Superior near the Grand Island landing.
They’re cautioning ice fisherman and snowmobilers to stay away from that area.
The hole in the ice generally only gets bigger with time, but can be covered by a thin layer of ice in the current cold temperatures. This can be a danger for recreationalists venturing onto the ice as it can appear to be solid when covered by snow.
WHIRLPOOL
This whirlpool is always been been a problem.It’s caused by two currents,one current from the east side of Grand Island,one from the west side of Grand Island. They then meet at the area near the island landing near the Barge dock(parking lot area)on the mainland.When standing on the beach it’s NORMALLY to your left(when looking over to Grand Island)about 100 to 200 feet and out anywhere from the beach out 25 to 350 feet!It’s not always in the same spot!Never stop or think it’s safe near that landing area!Also the water is DEEP just off the shore!!A few years ago a local lady DROWNED out snowmobiling with three other people(ALL WENT THROUGH THE ICE)just after a sunny warm day.TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED IN THAT AREA!!!!!
— greg pond, munising
http://wluctv6.com/news//news_story.aspx?id=120008
The trial of a man accused of pushing his wife off the cliffs at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore revealed this interesting park statistic, as reported by the AP/Battle Creek Enquirer:
The final witness Thursday was a National Park Service risk management specialist.
She testified that Pictured Rocks has an impressive safety record.
She says of 14 million visitors to the Upper Peninsula park since the early 1970s, Juanita Richardson is the only one to have died in a fall from the cliffs.
The Leelanau Enterprise reports on a series of regular walks planned at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore:
The programs begin at 1 p.m. each Saturday at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire where a park ranger provides an overview and directs participants to a specific location to begin the hike.
The ranger-led hikes are described as “mildly strenuous,” and proceed at a “leisurely pace” for about one and a half miles. Visitors should be prepared for outdoor conditions and plan to stay until about 3 p.m. Following is a list of remaining events offered this month:
• April 12, “The World of Frogs.” Ranger Peggy Burman will help visitors learn all about frogs in their natural environment.
• April 19, “A Flurry of Early Wild Flowers.” Visitors will hike with a ranger through one of the best wildflower habitats in the region.
• April 26, “Junior Ranger Day.” Special morning and afternoon activities will be offered for everyone to earn their Junior Ranger badge.
The hikes will be offered Saturdays through June, then daily in July and August, with Saturday afternoon hikes resuming again in September and October.
The Observer & Eccentric newspapers report that the City of Birmingham is spending $4 million on parks-related projects:
In 2001, Birmingham voters approved a proposal allowing the city to issue up to $25 million in bonds for parks and recreation purposes. To date, the city will have issued $19.7 million in bonds.
Other projects earmarked in the $4 million are:
n $650,000 for Kenning Park.
n $450,000 for Booth Park.
n $400,000 for trail improvements.
n $500,000 for St. James Park.
n $60,000 for fencing and park signs.
n $70,000 for park furniture.
n $35,000 for drinking fountains.
The Grand Haven Tribune reports that Ottawa County is planning construction of a new nature center near West Michigan’s Pigeon River:
The Ottawa County Parks Department’s first nature center, planned for Hemlock Crossing in Port Sheldon Township, will help relieve the growing need for nature-related school field trips, according to Hoffmaster Naturalist Elizabeth Brockwell-Tillman.
Demand for nature education is one reason the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation already gave $40,000 in March toward the $2.1 million project, and the fundraising effort hasn’t even officially begun, Parks Naturalist Chip Francke said.
The 8,000-square-foot nature center is planned for Hemlock Crossing, a 239-acre county park along the Pigeon River. It will include exhibit areas, classrooms, a wildlife viewing area, a covered patio and offices.
Francke said a one-acre wetland and short-grass prairie will also be added at Hemlock Crossing.
The State of Michigan has released grant information for groups that maintain and restore Michigan lighthouses:
Grand Central Magazine, a student-run publication at CMU, has a story about neat Michigan day-trips. Included are the following:
Chippewa Nature Center – 48 miles roundtrip – www.chippewanaturecenter.com
With 15 miles of trails to hike, snow board and cross-country ski, the Chippewa Nature Center is a way to enjoy nature any time of the year. The Chippewa Nature center also has designated bike paths for a great workout with a scenic view. “Our Chippewa Trail is 3 ½ miles long and connects the nature center to downtown Midland,” said Cathy Devendorf, director of volunteers and outreach for the Chippewa Nature Center. The Nature Center’s trails are open daily from dawn to dusk and with free admission; it’s a good place to go if you’re strapped for cash. Make it an all day event by bringing friends, Frisbees and food.
W.J. Beal Botanical Gardens – 124 miles roundtrip – www.cpa.msu.edu/beal
With free admission, the Beal Botanical Gardens come highly recommended amongst MSU students. “They are absolutely beautiful,” said Michigan State University student Renee Poltorak. “I love going down there to clear my mind and just watch the wildlife.” The Botanical Gardens are a prime date spot in the spring. “I see a lot of couples go down there to sit and cuddle,” Poltorak said. “It’d be a cute spot for a date or picnic.” With smaller gardens within the Beal Botanical Garden, it’s a great place to enjoy the beauty of nature, whether you’re enjoying solitude or sharing a stroll with someone special.
http://www.grandcentralmagazine.com/Travel/137
The Gladwin County Record has the following Earth Day-related blurb:
MIDLAND — Celebrate Earth Day and explore Midland’s Whiting Forest with the Little Forks Conservancy. Learn how protecting the environment impacts the quality of water and what can be done to help. Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19, Little Forks Conservancy invites everyone to walk the forest’s trails and enjoy refreshments at the visitor center.
Located just north of the Grace A. Dow Library on Eastman Avenue in Midland, Whiting Forest features seven different types of forest, a spacious visitor center, hiking trails, a 21-foot tall observation tower, ponds and more. This free event will feature master gardeners, horticulturists and naturalists who can answer questions and give advice so everyone can have a green thumb.
http://www.gladwinmi.com/record/index.php?story_id=50848
The Chairman of the Iron Mountain planning board in the Far West UP has this blurb in the letters-to-the-editor section of the Iron Mountain Daily News:
EDITOR:I would like Iron Mountain citizens to know that I, like you, don’t have a clear idea of what is going on with the tree removal along the Chapin Pit.
To date, to my knowledge, no concepts have been finalized and no formal plans have been drawn for whatever is being created. I have heard talk of a park and of an observation deck. Also, I believe that the deck concept was included in conceptual photos presented in a recent Michigan state planning effort.
I am also aware of and have seen good conceptual plans which will be used by Vision 20/20 in their application for a DNR grant to build a trail from the North Side ball field and park, to the bat cave. This is an exciting possibility, which the Planning Board has fully supported in a recent resolution. But, this trail plan, to my knowledge, is not located near the current tree clearing area.
While I really want to see aesthetic improvements in Iron Mountain, I know we can do better than this. The trees currently being cleared may just be box elders, but the idea of clearing all vegetation before you produce final concepts and plans isn’t right. In particular, some of the larger trees might be of value in a final layout.
Howard Meyerson of the Grand Rapids Press has information and a map related to a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Unit in West Michigan’s Barry County:
Bird watchers, hunters, nature lovers and anglers have a new place to go in Barry County. A 160-acre farmstead, known as the Edger Waterfowl Production Area, was acquired last fall by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is now open to the public.
“It’s open to hunting, fishing, wildlife observation or photography, environmental education and interpretation,” said Jim Hudgins, the state coordinator for the FWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
The Edger WPA was named after the late Lauren Edger, the former owner of the farm, whose family members still reside on the property. It is one of five small waterfowl production areas acquired in Michigan by FWS.
All of them are open to the public.
The earliest were created in 1980 when the agency purchased the 160-acre Schlee WPA in Jackson County and the 77-acre Kinney WPA in Van Buren County.
Later, in 1994, it acquired the 95-acre Schoonover WPA in Lenawee County. In 2006, it bought the 137-acre Malan WPA in Jackson County.
The Edger property, a full half-mile square, has a large pond in the center and a number of smaller potholes. Biologists report seeing mallards, wood ducks and blue-winged teal on its waters. The work ahead, Hudgins said, should improve reproduction and survival of the waterfowl and other nesting species like pheasant.
“Michigan has lost 50 percent of its wetlands and 98 percent of its native grasslands, said Hudgins. “We have been looking for properties that can be restored to support waterfowl.”
Visitors to Edger WPA are being asked to use the parking lot off Irving Road rather than park on adjacent properties where two Edger family members reside.
Mid-Michigan’s community of Chesaning is working to improve the Shiawassee River and fish habitat in a local park according to the Saginaw News:
Tom Meder is looking for a few strong backs … and for a lot of rocks.
The rocks — about 8,000 cubic yards or so — are for the Shiawassee River Restoration Project.
Meder needs a team with brawn to haul them to the Chesaning Dam in Cole Park to continue a reconstruction project that began about seven years ago — creating a fish ladder that would allow walleye and other sport fish to go upstream.
For a couple of years, leaders of the project have put out a call for rocks — large, medium and enormous — to help build the ladder.
This year, the group is sponsoring an ugly rocks contest, giving monthly certificates to the largest ugly rock — measured in circumference; the greatest number of ugly rocks — too heavy to handle; and the most “picker size” ugly rocks.
In 2005, the village moved about 1,300 yards of rock to the 159-year-old dam.
“That was a temporary patch three years ago, and for some reason it held,” Meder said.
The fish ladder will require 6,000 yards to 8,000 cubic yards of stones, he said, noting spring is a good time to pick up rocks.
The Battle Creek Enquirer has a story about a couple that has donated a conservation easement on property in Calhoun County:
And if the Palmers get their way, the 48-acre plot in Bedford Township will remain in that pristine condition forever.
The Palmers in February finalized arrangements with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy to have the land protected from future development. Although the property will change owners in the future, its use will be restricted through a conservation easement, a contract by which all future owners must abide.
The easement, the fifth of its kind in Calhoun County, takes away a property owner’s right to develop or subdivide. There are other restrictions, too, including how much the land can be logged, farmed or altered from its present, mostly natural state.
The Palmer Conservation Easement in northern Bedford Township protects “a rolling mix of upland oak savanna, hardwood forest and lowland forest dominated by red maple,” according to a news release from the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. “Wetland areas are also protected, including a prairie fen, an increasingly rare habitat in Michigan.”
Peter Ter Louw, executive director of the Portage-based conservancy, noted the Palmer land also is part of the Kalamazoo River watershed. The property has 1,272 feet of frontage on creek-fed Wabascon Lake, which drains
The Observer & Eccentric reviews plans for a citywide trail system in Troy: