We are blessed to have numerous ways to have fun in our great outdoors, and I encourage Southwest Michigan families to get outdoors this summer and enjoy Michigan’s amazing natural wonders.

You can bike on more than 1,300 miles of dedicated trails, kayak over 36,000 miles of streams and rivers or explore all 3,288 miles of Michigan’s Great Lakes coastline.

Residents with a library card can take advantage of a wonderful program that enables them to get free or discounted access to hundreds of Michigan’s state parks, historic sites, cultural attractions, campgrounds and recreation areas.

The second annual Michigan Activity Pass program allows library cardholders to print a free, one-day pass to use at 102 state parks or 138 state forest campgrounds. The program also offers free or discounted admission to 170 historical and cultural destinations throughout the state.

This year, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, the program is providing a new opportunity for parents and teachers of fourth graders to access national parks and lakeshores in Michigan — at no charge — through the National Park Service’s Every Kid in a Park initiative.

The initiative provides free passes to national parks and lakeshores, including seven sites in Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Empire), Isle Royale National Park (Houghton), Keweenaw National Historic Park (Calumet), MotorCities National Heritage Area (Detroit), North Country National Scenic Trail (Lowell), Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Munising) and River Raisin National Battlefield Park (Monroe).

More information on the program is available at MichiganActivityPass.info. For a list of ideas on how you can enjoy our state’s natural beauty, visit: www.Michigan.org/Outdoors.

Our state is home to so many tremendous state and national parks. Exploring one of these areas through the Michigan Activity Pass program is a great way to stay healthy and have fun.

Whether you decide to head out to splash in the water, camp in the woods or simply take in the sun, remember the most important thing: Have a great time!

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.