What is a Dark Sky Park? Emmet County, Michigan There are 20 International Dark Sky Parks It is a park or other protected public Heading to the Headlands now in the world, and the Headlands was one land possessing exceptional starry of the first! skies and natural nocturnal habitat The Headlands is located 2 miles west of where light pollution is mitigated downtown Mackinaw City, Emmet County, in The Headlands and natural darkness is valuable as Northwest Lower Michigan. an important educational, cultural, INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK scientific and natural resource. The designation is made by the Inter- national Dark-Sky Association in Tucson, Ariz. (www.darksky.org) How many such parks are there? The number is growing each year! The earliest parks designated include THE HEADLANDS, Emmet County, MI.; Programs at the Headlands are always free and take place Natural Bridges National Monument, UT; Cherry Springs rain, snow or shine! Please note that it’s typically at least State Park, PA.; Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park, To Petoskey 10 degrees cooler along the Lake Michigan shoreline than OH; Clayton Lake State Park and Chaco Culture National on U.S. 31 ↓ inland, so dress appropriately. Park, NM; Big Bend National Park, TX; Death Valley Na- tional Park, CA., and two in Hungary and one in Scotland. 15675 Headlands Road What will I find at the Headlands? Mackinaw City, MI 49701 About the Dark Sky Park • 600 acres of pristine, old-growth forest; • 4 1/2 miles of trails (year ‘round, non-motorized use); General, program info: (231) 348-1704 Program Director • A self-guided cell phone tour, including the Dark Sky Discovery Trail of planetary stations highlighting Guest House reservations: (231) 436-4051 ary Stewart Adams is a star lore historian, storyteller and Inside: 2015 Dark Sky astronomical and cultural discoveries throughout history;
[email protected] Mauthor who has been immersed in the history of star • 2 1/2 miles of frontage on Lake Michigan, where an Park program schedule! knowledge for 30 years.