If you squint, you can see it.
“It” is a teeny little “P” that tells the world you’ve paid $10 for a year’s worth of admission to Michigan’s state parks.
That inconspicuous letter is the enforcement linchpin of the state’s revamped method of paying for its park system — the mark of honor that distinguishes paying customers from cheating freeloaders.
About 20% of Michigan drivers who renewed their license plates Oct. 1-Dec. 31 have paid the extra $10 to get the Recreation Passport, new data from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment shows.
While 20% may not seem like a high percent participation, it is a good start, said Ron Olson, chief of the DNRE Recreation Division.
Olson said they needed to get at least 17% participation to match funding from the old state park pass program, and so far, they’re pleased.
Michigan’s parks and campgrounds are getting a boost from the state’s new Recreation Passport sticker available on vehicle license plates.
Since kicking off in October, more than 325,000 Michigan motorists renewing their license plates have paid an extra $10 ($5 for motorcyclists) for a “P” on their license plate tabs, which offers admission to state parks and recreation areas.
Participation has increased each month, according to the Department of Natural Resources, rising from 17 percent of those renewing license plates in October to 20 percent in December.
From the Grand Rapids Press:
Cross-country skiers, hikers and horseback enthusiasts can expect their favorite state forest trails to be rougher next year.
State officials said there is no money to maintain 60 non-motorized pathways on 4.9 million acres of state forest land.
“We’re going to have to go in a different direction,” said Lynn Boyd, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forest, Mineral and Fire Management division. “We had another cut in general fund. They took $300,000 out of the forest recreation budget. We’re down to $240,000 for the program. That money went to ski trails and non-motorized trails with no funding source, plus campgrounds.”
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