OurMichiganParks.org

From a Detroit Free Press editorial:

Michiganders who love their state parks rose to the challenge of funding them in the past year. That’s the good news.

The state switched from funding the parks solely through admission fees to asking drivers to pay $10 more for their license plate tabs — which gives them a tab marked with a “P” for unlimited entry into the parks. For people who visit a park more than one day a year, this is a tremendous deal.

Read the entire article

From the Detroit Free Press:

Michigan’s new method of paying for state park operations and maintenance met its fund-raising goal for the first year and is proving to be reliable, the Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.

The DNR said 24.7% of the state’s motorists participated in the license checkoff plan during the last year, just above the goal of 24.3%. Director Rodney Stokes said next year’s goal will be 30%.

Read the entire article

This story was also covered by the Detroit News.

From the Detroit Free Press:

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.

Read the entire article

From the Detroit Free Press:

Desperate for money to fix Michigan’s crumbling state parks, officials are gambling that motorists will chip in a little extra cash when renewing their car and truck licenses.

A new system for funding the parks begins Friday, when residents will have the option of paying $10 for a “recreation passport” in addition to their vehicle registration fee. Good for a year, the passport will grant access to all 98 state parks and recreation areas, plus boat launches.

Presently, park visitors are charged $6 per day or $24 for an annual pass.

Read more: New Michigan park funding program starts Friday | freep.com | Detroit Free Press