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Jan. 9, 2017
Contact: Matt Lincoln, 517-284-6111
DNR hosts public meeting Jan. 26 to gather input on Highland Recreation Area phase 2 draft general management plan
T he Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host an open house Thursday, Jan. 26, to solicit public input on Highland Recreation Area's draft phase 2 general management plan. The open house will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Highland Township Hall Auditorium, 205 N. John St. in Highland.
The meeting also will include a review of a proposed addition to the park's designated hunting dog field trial training area.
The 5,900-acre park, located in southeastern Michigan in Oakland County, provides access to hunting, wildlife viewing, rustic camping, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and a remote-controlled model airplane flying field. The park is within minutes of a large population center and includes a designated natural area, the former Edsel Ford estate and designated hunting dog field trial areas.
Highland is one of only two state parks with designated hunting dog field trial grounds and year-round hunt training areas. They are used for various competitions and hunting dog evaluations. Activities in these areas include the discharge of firearms, some dog training and field trials conducted from horseback. The proposed 250- to 350-acre addition to the field trial area is located north of Cooley Lake Road and east of Duck Lake Road.
The phase 2 general management plan defines a long-range (10- to 20-year) 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.
The public input meeting will begin with a short presentation of the draft plan and a review of the proposed addition to the hunting dog field trial and training area. The public is 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 Jan. 31 to Matt Lincoln at lincolnm@michigan.gov.
A link to the Highland Recreation Area phase 2 general management plan as well as additional information can be found on the DNR’s General Management Plan website at www.michigan.gov/parkmanagementplans.
For more information about the public meeting or the Phase 2 general management plan, contact Matt Lincoln at 517-284-6111 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) or via email at lincolnm@michigan.gov. Persons with disabilities who need accommodations for the meetings should contact Lincoln five days before the meeting.
/Editors’ note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Suggested caption information follows.
Highland Recreation Area is located in southeastern Michigan and is home to a variety of recreational opportunities, including hunting, wildlife viewing, rustic camping, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and model airplane recreation opportunities./
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.
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