FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 1, 2015

Contact: Debbie Jensen, 517-284-6105

DNR seeks public input on General Management Plans for Tahquamenon Falls and Muskallonge Lake state parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced it is seeking public input on two new General Management Plans to guide the future of Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Muskallonge Lake State Park, located in Chippewa and Luce counties in the eastern Upper Peninsula. People are invited to share their opinions and ideas through online surveys, available until Jan. 4, 2016, at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Muskallonge-Lake-State-Park and https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tahquamenon-falls-state-park.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses close to 50,000 acres of primarily undeveloped woodland and wetland. The centerpiece of the park is the Tahquamenon River with the spectacular Upper and Lower falls. In addition to viewing the falls, the park provides opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking/canoeing and snowmobiling.

Muskallonge Lake State Park is situated between the shores of Lake Superior and Muskallonge Lake, 28 miles northwest of Newberry in an area well known for its forests, lakes and streams. The 217-acre park was the former site of Deer Park, a lumbering town in the late 1880s, and a Coast Guard Life Saving Station. Currently, the park provides modern camping facilities, a boat launch and swimming beach on Muskallonge Lake, picnic facilities, a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail and access to the Lake Superior shoreline.

The General Management Plans for each park will define a long-range (10 to 20 years) planning and management strategy that will assist the DNR Parks and Recreation Division in meeting its responsibilities to 1) protect and preserve the site’s natural and cultural resources, and 2) provide access to land- and water-based public recreation and educational opportunities.

These surveys are one of several opportunities for the public and stakeholders to be involved in the planning process. The DNR also will host a public open house for each park in the summer of 2016, providing an opportunity for review and comment on the draft plans.

Additional information on the DNR’s General Management Plan process is available at www.michigan.gov/parkmanagementplans. 

For more information about the Tahquamenon Falls State Park or Muskallonge Lake State Park surveys or proposed plans, contact DNR park management plan administrator Debbie Jensen at 517-284-6105 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) or via email at JensenD1@michigan.gov.

Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Muskallonge Lake State Park.

To check camping availability and make a reservation, please visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 1-800-44PARKS (1-800-447-2757).

Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

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.