What is a Dark Sky Park? EMMET COUNTY, MICHIGAN From the Dark Sky Park Heading Headlands It is a park or other protected public land possessing ex- to Program Director ceptional starry skies and natural nocturnal habitat where light pollution is mitigated and natural darkness is valuable 15675 Headlands Road DARK SKY PARK Mary Stewart Adams as an important educational, cultural, scientific and natural Mackinaw City, MI 49701 resource. The designation is made by the International n ages gone by, community life was organized around the Dark-Sky Association in Tucson, Ariz. (www.darksky.org) General, program info: (231) 348-1704 at the Headlands observance of celestial phenomena, so it was natural that How many such parks are there? Guest House reservations: (231) 436-4051 the sites where this observ- Michigan’s International Dark Sky Park! I In 2011, Headlands was one of only nine international
[email protected] ing took place became the dark sky parks worldwide, six of which were in the U.S. locations where life’s most Due to public demand for greater access to natural dark- significant moments were ness, as well as the success of the IDA’s Dark Sky Park celebrated. This was the way that program, there are now over 40 such parks worldwide, and former cultures honored the role the number is growing! For the most up-to-date list, please of the human being within the visit www.darksky.org, where you can also pledge your larger cosmic rhythm, not merely support. Emmet County’s Headlands property remains the by thinking human beings lived only internationally designated dark sky park in Michigan.