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May 1, 2017
Contact: John Pepin, 906-226-1352 or Ami VanAntwerp, 517-284-6094
DNR-nominated recipients recognized for community service efforts in Lower Peninsula
The Michigan Recreation and Park Association (mParks) honored five Lower Peninsula volunteer efforts with Community Service Awards at a recent ceremony in East Lansing.
The projects lauded included a mobile Mother Nature’s Classroom through Port Crescent State Park, a new beach playground constructed at Holland State Park, an all-accessible pondside trail developed at Wilderness State Park, a historic blockhouse repaired and refinished at Muskegon State Park and project and ground maintenance efforts at Bay City State Recreation Area.
mParks' Community Service Awards recognize individuals and groups who show outstanding support to public recreation and park programs in their community, including friends’ groups, department volunteers and advocates.
The awards ceremony took place April 19 at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing.
Scott Whipple, a science and technology outreach teacher in the Huron Intermediate School District, received a Community Service Award for his efforts in helping develop a collaborative Mother Nature’s Classroom effort facilitated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the school district’s Mathematics and Science Center.
The two entities pooled their resources, expertise and staff, using a DNR grant to finance the collaboration.
“Scott Whipple is deserving of this award as he was instrumental in helping us establish our Mother Nature’s Classroom, a mobile classroom with teaching aids that can be taken to classrooms,” said Betsy Kish, supervisor at Port Crescent State Park in Huron County, who nominated Whipple for the honor.
The program, which initially included lessons at local schools, provides a one-day field trip for each school to Port Crescent’s Day Use Park. In 2016, over 400 students participated in the program first begun in 2012.
“Scott coordinated meetings, getting input from area educators, active and retired. He included local business people who have a passion for getting kids outdoors,” Kish said. “He developed a curriculum for our program that would align with State education guidelines, making our program a desirable, educational field trip, tweaking programs to accommodate any size group.”
Sally Starr and Nancy VanEenenaam, were the catalysts for a community-based collaboration that brought together the DNR, Carter’s Kids, Lake Michigan Credit Union and several state and local businesses to bring a new play structure to Holland State Park in Ottawa County.
“Their dream to bring a playground to the beach for their grandchildren was realized on Aug. 17, 2016, when the impressive new structure was opened to the public,” said park superintendent Sean Mulligan. “Thanks to Sally and Nancy, this project was completed with the majority of funds and labor donated, thus filling a need that would otherwise have waited until higher priority projects around the state had been completed first.”
 Mulligan nominated Starr and VanEenenaam for the award.
Scout Drew Wyatt, 17, and Alanson Boy Scout Troop 4 were nominated for a Community Service Award for efforts in spring 2016 to improve an 800-foot pondside section of trail to allow access for all visitors to Wilderness State Park.
“Drew and BSA Troop 4 raised all the funds needed for various supplies, as well as the material trucking costs. He organized the work days and, with his oversight, assured that the final product met ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards,” said Burr Mitchell, supervisor at Wilderness State Park. “This project is a fine example of what one young man, determination, drive, and effort can do to encourage others to help him improve people’s lives.”
Wyatt took on the work as his Eagle Scout Project. Mitchell had provided Wyatt a wish list of park improvements the superintendent didn’t have the funding or manpower to complete.
The pondside trail was at the top of the list.
“This project was as demanding, or more demanding, in planning, manpower, as well as in material needs than any of the other projects on the list,” Mitchell said. “Drew saw the value that this project had for people with mobility issues and therefore, did not hesitate to take on this challenging effort.”
Wyatt played the key role in all aspects of the project, including the acquisition of a donation for from Tri-County Excavating for 50 yards of compactable material, the use of heavy equipment and the operator hours needed to complete the job.
Mitchell nominated Wyatt for the award.
Jim Rudicil, executive director of the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, was honored for his volunteer efforts associated with Muskegon State Park in Muskegon County.
Park Superintendent Gregory Sherburn said Rudicil and the Winter Sports Complex have maintained a great partnership with Muskegon State Park. A luge run is available for winter visitors to the park, as part of the winter sports complex.
“Over the past year alone, Jim has headed up a fundraising campaign and work bees to repair and refinish the blockhouse (a signature park feature replicating Fort Detroit),” Sherburn said. “He has acted as a Friends group in collecting special donations to be used at Muskegon State Park. He has been an important part of the Muskegon State Park master plan process. All the while, making improvements and taking pride in the north side of the park and hosting events to promote Muskegon State Park.”
Sherburn nominated Rudicil for the honor.
Chemical Bank was lauded for its employee efforts at the Bay City State Recreation Area in Bay County. Since 2013, Chemical Bank has turned Columbus Day into Chemical Bank Cares Day with employees volunteering in and around their local communities.
“Some Chemical Bank employees volunteer here at Bay City State Recreation Area and help us finish small projects and maintain grounds for the pleasure and convenience of our visitors,” said George Lauinger, unit supervisor at the recreation area. “Volunteers help tear down and rebuild picnic tables, prune branches that overhang the trails, pick up litter and debris throughout the park, help with garden maintenance, clean garbage and ashes out of the fire pits in  the campground, paint structures, and help put together crafts for kids at the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center for the Mother Nature Halloween Trail. Their support helps Bay City State Recreation Area visitors enjoy the beauty and amenities we have to offer.”
Lauinger and park staff nominated Chemical Bank for the award.
The Association’s Community Service Awards are presented annually. Additional honorees from the Upper Peninsula, nominated by DNR officials, were also honored at the recent awards ceremony. View a list of all the 2016 award recipients.
Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Blockhouse: The historic blockhouse, a replica of Fort Detroit, is shown at Muskegon State Park in Muskegon County. The structure was recently repaired and refinished.
Group: Volunteers from Chemical Bank at the Bay City State Recreation Area in Bay County. The bank was honored with a recent Michigan Recreation and Park Association Community Service Award.
Playground: Sally Starr (center left) and Nancy VanEenenaam (center right), were the catalysts for a community-based collaboration that brought together the DNR, Carter’s Kids, Lake Michigan Credit Union and several state and local businesses to bring a new play structure to Holland State Park in Ottawa County.
Ribbon Cut: The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground at Holland State Park in Ottawa County.
Trail Build 1-2: A Scout crew works on an all-accessible pondside trail at Wilderness State Park in Emmet County.
Additional photos: Eagle Scout Drew Wyatt./
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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