|
July 26, 2016
Contact: Debbie Jensen, 517-284-6105
DNR to hold open house Aug. 11 to solicit feedback on draft phase 2 general management plan for Bay City State Recreation Area
 The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host an open house Thursday, Aug. 11, to invite public input on a new draft phase 2 general management plan for Bay City State Recreation Area. The open house will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center, 3582 State Park Drive, in Bay City.
Bay City State Recreation Area is situated on more than 2,000 acres and is located on Saginaw Bay, approximately 5 miles north of Bay City. The park is home to Tobico Marsh, one of the largest remaining freshwater coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, providing excellent bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. Other recreation opportunities offered at the park include a swimming beach, splash park, playground, modern camping, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, nature trails, picnicking, hunting, ice fishing, educational programs and family-friendly events.
This plan will establish 10-year action goals that provide specific guidance for development, stewardship of cultural and natural resources, recreation opportunities, education and interpretation opportunities and park management. The plan is developed based upon input from DNR staff, key stakeholders and the community. This phase 2 plan will build upon the 2010 phase 1 general management plan that designates management zones for the park and the lakefront and beach access study completed in 2015. A link to the draft phase 2 general management plan can be found at http://www.clearzoning.com/clearzoning-clients/bay-city-state-recreation-area-phase-2.
The public input meeting will begin with a short presentation of the draft plan. Members of the public are welcome to attend at any time during the two-hour period to review the planning material, provide comments and talk to DNR staff. Comments also can be made via email until Aug. 26 to Debbie Jensen at jensend1@michigan.gov.
Additional information on the DNR’s General Management Plan process is available at www.michigan.gov/parkmanagementplans.
For more information about the public meeting or the General Management Plan, 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. Persons with disabilities who need accommodations for the meetings should contact Jensen at least five business days before the meeting.
/Editors' note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Suggested captions follow.
The public beach at the Bay City State Recreation Area is a popular park amenity. Park-goers are invited to an Aug. 11 open house to learn about the second phase of the park's draft management plan./
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.
|
