March 2, 2016

Contact: Stephanie Wirtz, 989-686-2790 or Elissa Buck, 989-313-0000

Enjoy March fun and fitness at Michigan state parks

State parks and recreation areas in Michigan are offering events throughout March that will help residents take advantage of Michigan's great outdoors, as the weather heads into spring. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites visitors to participate in a number of events around the state, all designed with fun and good health in mind.

Saturday, March 5

Winter Family Fun Days at Straits State Park (Mackinac County):
Spend the day outdoors enjoying some winter family fun, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, frisbee golf, volleyball and, of course, some fires for warming up. Please bring your own shoes, skis and sleds. There may be a few pairs of snowshoes available to borrow. For more information, contact the park at 906-643-8620.

Saturday, March 12

Bit O' Green Terrariums at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County):
From 2 to 3:30 p.m., visitors are invited to make a family project in the hope of a green spring. Participants are asked to bring a glass container with a lid (quart to gallon size) to create a small ecosystem beautiful enough for display. The free event takes place at the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Road, in Chelsea. For more information, call 734-475-3170.

Pie Days at Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County):
Get outdoors and take part in a special events in honor of pi (or the number 3.14). From 10 a.m. to noon, visitors can purchase pie and raise money for local charities. Visitors also are encouraged to walk "pi" (or 3.14 kilometers) on the trails. For more information, contact the park at 989-684-3020.

Sunday, March 13

Wildlife Safari at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County):
Venture on an exciting wildlife safari from the comfort of the Discovery Center auditorium from 2 to 3 p.m. This hands-on, interactive presentation by Nelson’s Wildlife Safari will feature an amazing group of exotic animals from around the world. Learn all about these animals and the challenges they face in their native habitats. The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. Advance registration is requested and more information is available by calling 734-475-3170.

Saturday, March 19

Old-time Maple Sugar Festival at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County):
It’s time for that traditional rite of spring – tapping maple trees. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Chelsea Alehouse and visit the Discovery Center to learn how maple syrup is made. Guided walks will show various methods of collecting sap and how it is boiled down to make syrup. Watch a film about the process and see actual tools for making syrup on display from the Waterloo Farm Museum. Maple products will be available for purchase. For more information, call 734-475-3170.

Saturday, March 26

Easter Egg Hunt at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County):
Families and friends are invited to celebrate with an Easter egg hunt  from 11 a.m. to noon. Over 3,000 candy-filled eggs will be available for the hunt, as well as a variety of games and activities. Enter the park off East Greenshield Road, approximately 1 mile east of M-24. For more information, call 248-693-6767.

Egg-Stravaganza at Maybury State Park (Wayne County):
Join the Friends of Maybury and Northville Parks and Recreation for an Easter celebration. Activities including games, face painting, crafts, seed planting, egg hunts and more will begin at 10:30 a.m. Make sure you make time to meet the Easter Bunny and Smokey Bear! For more information, contact the park at 248-349-8390.

Marsh Madness at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County):
Park interpreter Katie McGlashen will talk from 11 a.m. to noon about the animals that call Waterloo’s Little Portage Marsh home. Animals include otter, beaver, mink, herons, bitterns and cranes. The free event takes place at Gerald Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Road, in Chelsea. For more information, call 734-475-3170.

Spring Troll Trot Dryland Dog Race at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County):
The Southwest Michigan Husky Club's Spring Troll Trot is a one-day dryland dog mushing race for the novice and experienced musher. Following the event. there will be a potluck gathering held at the campground. For more information and to register, visit www.thesouthwestmichiganhuskyclub.org.

Sunday, March 27

Easter Egg Hunt at Young State Park (Charlevoix County):
Families and friends ages 1 to 10 years old are invited to take part in an old-fashioned Easter egg hunt, beginning at 11 a.m. Leave no rock unturned as participants search to find eggs hidden within the park. For more details, contact the park at 231-582-7523.

For more information about these and other events, visit the online calendar of events at www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors, call the park, or contact DNR recreation programmers Elissa Buck at 989-313-0000 or Stephanie Wirtz at 989-686-2790.

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.

Many of these events are free to attend, but a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to state parks and recreation areas.

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.

/Editors' note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. A suggested caption follows.

Enjoy the last bit of winter weather with recreational opportunities, such as snowshoeing, at Michigan state parks and recreation areas./