Change Your World Week Winter 2021 (Archived)

Since 1919 when the Michigan State Park Commission was first formed, Michigan has been steadily creating state parks to account for its' increasing population and attractivity. In total, there are currently 103 state parks throughout Michigan and on average, every year about 28 million people visit these parks.  That is more people than the population of Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin combined!  Due to this huge demand and revenue it creates, we believe that it's critical for Michigan to keep its' parks in top condition for all the visitors it brings. 

It's no secret that with over 100 years of being in service, some of Michigan's parks are going to need updating. Majority of them have been becoming increasingly outdated and others just don't have enough activities or things to keep the people who visit there interested or wanting to go back. For the amount of people that visit, these updates and renovations should be mandatory.   

For example, the current parking lots that are in many of the state parks could be updated/renovated. There are a lot of parks in Michigan that only use gravel as their parking lot and a big improvement would be to add pavement over this. This makes it so much easier for people to drive on and it also removes many potholes that the gravel creates throughout the winter and spring. Other parks in Michigan that have pavement but are old and cracked could also be revamped so that they are smooth again for the drivers. 

Additionally, there are many other interests that could be looked at for updating. Many of the parks don't have bathrooms or use porta potties, and a giant improvement would be to install actual bathrooms like they have at other state parks throughout Michigan. The parks that don't have bathrooms are a huge inconvenience and porta potties aren't that nice to use. Also, it would be very beneficial for majority of the trails to be updated and new ones to be added to existing parks. Many of the existing trails have trees blocking previous paths and not well defined trails, so it would be really nice to clean up the trails and maybe even add pavement over them. Adding new trails would also be really beneficial given the fact that many of the state parks only have one big path to walk on without any interlocking trails or different spots to walk off to. 

There are also multiple recreational activities and items that could be added to these state parks to really improve them. First, having upgraded playground equipment as well as new equipment at parks that don't already have them would be a giant benefit. This would greatly attract people as it would be updating the older parks that don't have very nice equipment as well as give more activities for the children to play on and enjoy. Second, adding baseball and soccer fields as well as basketball and volleyball courts at all the state parks would increase attraction and along with that local teams and residents of the area could use the courts/fields as well. Finally, items such as grills, trash cans, doggy bags, and workout equipment would be an amazing addition to the parks in Michigan as it would greatly improve the quality of them for people. 

Now, you may be wondering, although these would be nice additions to the park, why do it?

Well, it's not only to improve and increase the attractiveness of them, like we previously said, but to upkeep the important history of these state parks. Michigan was one of the original states in the U.S. to implement the state park system, being among the first 17 states. Ever since it's implementation, millions of people from across the country have visited these parks just to see the different scenic views across Michigan. So due to this, it's very important to make sure these parks are in high quality condition to ensure that citizens will keep wanting to come to these significant historical places for Michigan. 

In addition to that, it also brings in an incredible amount of revenue for Michigan and helps fund the DNR. You can check out a little more about that under here in the DNR's website.

DNR - Funding

In our eyes, Michigan's legislature plays the biggest factor in whether or not these parks will be funded. 

The Michigan legislature determines essentially what the Department of Conservation can do and how much they're funded, as well as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These two departments are the two main contributing factors to the state parks in Michigan and how they're upkept. If these two are given all the necessities needed to restore the parks by the legislature, then the parks could be saved. However, that's up to the Michigan legislature.

Essentially, the Michigan legislature has the most power towards this project, as they can approve and disapprove any funding towards these parks. So, if they think that there are bigger issues in Michigan that don't have to do with these parks, then they won't focus on the parks and help fund them.

This is why it is vital for people to speak up and reach out to the Michigan legislature so that they do their part in funding these parks. The citizens in Michigan as well as groups throughout Michigan like the Michigan Parks Association should all work together and make it known how the state parks are an issue that needs solving. This would allow for the Michigan legislature to either make a vote on a ballot for us to fund the parks or for them to vote on it themselves. 

There are many people not only throughout Michigan but across the U.S. who will be affected by the decision either to or to not fund these state parks. Michiganders as well as tourists come to these state parks to see the different beauties and views Michigan has to offer. Campgrounds and famous destinations around Michigan such as, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, along with many others is what drives Michigan's tourism. Depending on what happens with the funding of the parks, this will directly affect how the people across the U.S. and Michigan visit them. 

In addition, there are many people throughout Michigan who are responsible for enacting this change. As previously stated, all of the Michigan legislature can be held accountable for taking action and have the ability to help influence the funding of these parks. Some of these people include U.S. Senators, Deborah Stabenow and Gary Peters, U.S. House Representative John Moolenaar, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, State Senator Kenneth Horn, and State Representative Rodney Wakeman. If you want to find out who you can directly contact in your area about these state parks, please use the link below and contact them to help restore our parks! It's time for the Michigan legislature to step up and approve funding for these parks!

There are many views people can have on Michigan's state parks and whether or not they should be updated. Some of these are positive opinions, although others take on a very negative view on funding these parks. 

Just some of these opposing thoughts can include,

"The parks don't need anymore money than they already get."

"They are well kept. Why do they need more people to care for funding them?"

"Put the money towards something that matters, like the poor roads in our state." 

"We're not worried about the tourism or the revenue loss that will come with not updating the parks."

"Why don't we put our money into new parks instead of the old ones?"

To all of these claims, although people are valid to have their own opinions, we believe they are wrong. And this is for multiple reasons. 

There is already mounding evidence that the state parks in Michigan are deteriorating. Some of these parks are as old as 100 years and are looking run down plus don't have enough stuff to keep people satisfied and wanting to go there. If these 103 parks keep getting worse, no one is going to want to visit them.

People don't want to use parks that have bad walking trails, parking lots that could damage and get their cars dirty, and a lack of activities for adults and children to do. People like updated things, not old and outdated items. So we definitely should be focusing our funding on these state parks that we have right now, and not any new ones currently as we need to work on one thing at a time and make sure the ones we already have are the best they can be. 

Especially now, due to the recent pandemic, the COVID-19 outbreak has forced many people to stay away from large crowds and ironically, many take refuge in the nice state parks throughout Michigan. Although this is great as people are visiting the parks, many visitors are trashing the ones they go to and leave it in a worse condition than it already is. 

Below you will find a Google search. After pressing "search", click on the first link that comes up titled, "Pandemic Trash Brings Record Crowds to Michigan State Parks". Here you can read what Michigan environmentalist, Kelly House, has to say on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the state parks in Michigan. This especially shows why the opposing arguments are wrong and how we need funding.

In the article linked, the author discusses how with the recent pandemic, Michigan's state parks have been bursting with attendance. However, with all of this attendance, comes large amounts of trash and littering. Read about it above!

One small voice cannot make a change, however, many small voices can. We need your help to put these plans in motion. The state parks of Michigan are for the people. Therefore, the people should be the ones standing up, imploring the state legislature to consider this proposal.  

Although some of you may be thinking, "I don't even go to the state parks, why should I care?" Well, one of Michigan's very own state parks may just be in your back yard.  The Bay City State Park is one of the most visited state parks in the Tri-County area.  The community of Bay City prides itself on it's state park.  Having it well kept and up to date is one of the best ways to keep people coming to the parks, which also gives local businesses more customers as well.  Additionally, millions of people from in and out of state come to visit the state parks of Michigan.  Not many other states are known for their great outdoors and scenic views like Michigan is, so we want make sure we do everything in our abilities to keep it as wonderful as it can possibly be. Even if you don't visit the parks, help us preserve the natural beauty Michigan has to offer and that citizens from across the country love to see.

Below you can find a link to a petition we created to help save Michigan's state parks. By signing, you are doing your part in advocating for change and helping shape a new and better world. With all of people who visit these parks, it is time they receive the care they deserve. Please help and do your part to ensure these parks a great future!

DNR, Michigan. “From Early Years to Today, History of Michigan State Parks at 100 Years.” The Morning Sun, MediaNews Group, 10 May 2019,                    www.themorningsun.com/news/local/from-early-years-to-today-history-of-michigan-state-parks-at-100-years/article_b60b0fae                                               -734a-11e9-8413-478f3059dd0e.html.

“Funding.” The Department of Natural Resources, Michigan.gov, 2021, www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79137_84658---,00.html.

House, Kelly. “Pandemic Brings Record Crowds to Michigan Parks. (And Trash and Trouble).” Bridge Michigan, Gravity Works, 17 Aug. 2020,                        www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/pandemic-brings-record-crowds-michigan-parks-and-trash-and-trouble.

“Michigan's First State Park.” The Department of Natural Resources, Michigan.gov, 2021,                                                                                                              www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79133_79205_85747_86991_88871_90785---,00.html.

“Take Action, Advocacy: Our Work: National Recreation and Park Association.” National Recreation and Park Association, NRPA, 2021,                                  www.nrpa.org/our-work/advocacy/advocacy-engage/.

“Who, What, Where?” The Department of Natural Resources, Michigan.gov, 2021, www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-                                                               79133_79205_85747_89179_86979_89178-481712-                                                                                                                                                                   -,00.html#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20Michigan%20state%20park,infrastructure%20found%20in%20those%20parks.