In 2004 our state legislators removed all taxpayer support for Michigan’s state parks.

The result is our state parks rely heavily on camping fees and motor vehicle passes to keep the front gate open.

You can help keep our state parks operating by buying a $24 motor vehicle pass for 2009.  You can also buy them to give as gifts.  The DNR also offers gift certificates.

“Most Michigan residents are located within a one hour drive of a state park, recreation area or boating access site.  The permits provide Michigan residents, and non-residents, access to 98 Michigan state parks or recreation areas and over 800 access sites located statewide,” said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation chief.  “Giving a motor vehicle permit, a boating access site permit, or a gift certificate is giving the gift of outdoors, and it also helps support our state park system.”

These state park passes are really quite a deal.  For only $24, one can have year-long access to one of the nation’s premier state park systems.   California State Park annual passes are $125.

People have asked why the DNR doesn’t raise the motor vehicle entry fees to help make ends meet.  The bottom line is they can’t.  The price is set by the state legislators who have been reluctant to make any changes.

Gift certificates and permits can be purchased year round through the Michigan e-store or by calling 517-373-9900.

Tags: DNR, state parks

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm and is filed under General bike news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.