Easter egg hunts at state parks, recreation areas

Contacts: Maia Stephens, 989-225-8573 or Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

Department: Natural Resources

 

Date: March 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Holiday tradition goes high-tech at Mitchell State Park

 

The staff at Mitchell State Park in Cadillac is taking a high-tech approach to a traditional holiday event by offering a Geocaching Easter Egg Hunt from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7, and again on Sunday, April 8 at the Carl. T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center.

 

Participants of all ages are welcome to come out and hunt for eggs using their hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). Stop at the center to receive instructions and clues for the hunt. GPS coordinates will be provided.

 

A limited number of GPS units will be available to check out. There will be assistance available for any participants needing help setting up their own units.

 

The Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center is located at 6087 E. M-155 in Cadillac.

For details on the event, call Edward Shaw, 231-779-1321 or email shawe@michigan.gov.

 

More traditional holiday hunts are taking place at other state parks.

 

April 7

Young State Park (Charlevoix County) -- Easter Egg Hunt

 

Children up to 10-years old are welcome to join an Easter egg hunt taking place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7 at Young State Park, 02280 Boyne City Road in Boyne City. For details, call the park, 231-582-7523.

 

April 7

Maybury State Park (Wayne County) -- Egg Hunt

Join the DNR and Friends of Maybury State Park at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7 for the annual egg hunt where no child leaves empty-handed. Prior to the egg scramble on the soccer field there will be games and activities at the concession building as well as a meet and greet with park celebrities Smokey Bear and the Easter Bunny. For details, call the park, 248-349-8390.

 

Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County) -- Easter Egg Hunt at Cherry Ridge

 

Bring your Easter basket to Bald Mountain Recreation Area’s Cherry Ridge Picnic Area from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7 and try to find some of the 2,000 candy-filled eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden in the park. Bring a camera and get a picture with Smokey Bear. Other games and prizes are part of the festivities. Enter the park off of Greenshield Road, approximately 1 mile east of M-24. For details or to reserve a spot, call the park, 248-693-6767.

 

Visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors for a listing of all events taking place in Michigan’s state parks.

The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites, and is also required at designated state forest campgrounds and non-motorized pathway parking areas. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Non-resident motor vehicles must still display a valid non-resident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area, state-administered boating access fee site, state forest campground, and non-motorized pathway parking area, which can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-373-9900.

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.