Michigan State Parks Celebrate 100 Years of Memories, Recreation
Julie Bitely
| 2 min read
If you live in Michigan, you’re never more than 30 minutes away from a state park, state forest campground or state trail system. Our fair state boasts more than 300,000 acres of state park land, featuring 103 state parks, 138 campgrounds and more than 1,000 miles of trails.
This impressive collection of natural spaces gives Michiganders and visitors opportunities for recreation, relaxation and wonderment. And it all started 100 years ago when the Michigan Legislature established the Michigan State Park Commission on May 12, 1919, paving the way for the state parks system that exists today. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of state parks throughout 2019. Fall is a great time of year to visit and enjoy state parks and trails. Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Centennial Geotour: If you’re an experienced geocacher or if you’re looking for a fun, active hobby to pick up, this interactive experience is for you. Find and log all 100 caches and you’ll receive a digital souvenir from Geocaching.com. Learn more about how to participate here.
- Share your favorite memories: Upload pictures and stories to an interactive map showcasing the magic of 100 years of Michigan state parks.
- Get active at your favorite park: The best way to celebrate state parks? Go visit them! Whether it's a park you've been to 100 times or you set a goal to visit all of them in the next few years, these preserved natural spaces are meant to be enjoyed.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has been proud to partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and mParks (Michigan Recreation & Park Association) on MI Big Green Gym, an initiative encouraging Michiganders to take advantage of the abundant recreational opportunities that await them in some of the country’s best parks, trails and other outdoor recreation facilities. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
- Idea We Love: Doctors Prescribing Parks
- Hidden Gems: Six Michigan State Parks to Visit This Summer
- Improving Health for All
Photos courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
