2021 GYM MEMBERSHIPS Daily Walk-in $10 7 Visit Punch Card $56 Visitor 12 Visit Punch Card $90 3 Month Membership Get to the Point - Tawas Point! Standard $125 website: Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse & State Park (989) 545-1421 24 Hour $145 www.tawaslighthousefriends.com P.O. Box 152, East Tawas, MI 48730 SilverSneakers Fitness Program accepted. SUMMER STAFFED BUSINESS HOURS Monday-Friday 8 AM-7 PM Welcome to Tawas Point State Park! Saturday 8 AM-2 PM • Sunday 9 AM-2 PM huronsports.net On behalf of the park staff, visitors and has both educa- I’d like to welcome you to the tional and historical signifi- 183-acre park that provides cance. Resident lighthouse family fun and recreation on keepers provide informative Lake Huron and Tawas Bay. tours and the Friends of Tawas The shaded forest, and the Point State Park offer informal clear waters that surround Ta- visits on Tuesdays during the was Point State Park are always summer months. welcoming and we hope that Tawas Point State Park is you enjoy your stay, whether also on an important bird mi- (989) 362-0464 you are here for two hours or gration corridor. Each spring 1190 W. Lake St., Tawas City, MI Expires Aug.1, 2021 two weeks. and fall thousands of birds Often referred to as the stop to rest and refuel as they Cape Cod of the Midwest, the fly the coastline going north or point’s consistent winds, clear south. Even the federal endan- WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A GYM waters, and abundant sandy gered piping plover is known to beaches make Tawas Point breed on our park shores. State Park an amazing destina- One of the most unique fea- tion. Tawas Point State Park tures about Tawas Point is the Micah Jordan offers a wide variety of activi- geological shifting. The point Park Supervisor BICYCLE REPAIR ties from camping, biking, hik- looks different from year to Keep in mind this year is ing, birdwatching, swimming, year, it can gain land one year that the State of Michigan is and kiteboarding. We encour- and then lose land the next. still following covid 19 pro- age you to engage in as many Currently with all the high-wa- tocols. Please social distance activities as possible during ter Tawas Point has lost several while you are in the park as your stay. acres and water has infiltrated well as wear masks in all State Basic Tune-up With 193 modern campsites, into places that have not seen buildings. Some amenities are $ four cabins plus a yurt, and water in a very long time. Ta- not available in the park such starting at 35 eight ADA sites, Tawas Point was Point in its entirety offers as drinking fountains and dish State Park is a high-demand visitors a tremendous oppor- washing stations. For specifics and popular camping venue. tunity for education related to on covid 19 protocols and in- Campers enjoy the experience geological change and coastal formation contact the park at of being surrounded by water dynamics. 989-362-5041. Major Tune-up and the rare opportunity to see Some other amazing oppor- I truly hope you enjoy your starting at $55 the sunrise and sunset over Ta- tunities at Tawas Point State visit, and that you make lasting was Bay from one location. As Park are its many available memories along the way! Now Tawas Bay Weather you will come to find, photo beaches for swimming. Visi- get out there and enjoy the park opportunities abound. tors will find boardwalks in – there is a lot waiting for you Station and Webcams O’BRIEN WATERSPORTS One of the main attractions several areas to improve acces- to discover! Need a quick update on the is the Tawas Point Lighthouse. sibility. There is even a desig- weather forecasts, current Tubes / Floats / Wetsuits / Lifejackets It is a popular destination for nated Pet-Friendly Beach! radar, fishing conditions, Bike Cleaning $15 Tawas Point State Park has a water levels, fuel prices and Bodyboards / Wakeboards / Waterskis variety of events throughout the more? Check out Tire Change starting at $13 Stand Up Paddleboards year. Check the Upcoming Events www.tawasbayweather.com! The website includes three True Rim starting at $15 Ropes / Accessories section or our website at webcams and beautiful www.tawaslighthousefriends.com pictures of the Tawas Bay for details. Photo by Ken DeMar area. 2 - Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Sights and Sounds of Tawas Point Biking at the State Park At times is seems that there are front of doorways. more bikes than cars in the park. • Please use bike racks and To have a safe and enjoyable bik- lock up bikes when left alone. ing experience, we ask that visi- • Stay on paved areas and do tors: not ride in areas where bikes are • Avoid riding after dark. If prohibited. you must, bike slowly and use a • Biking is not allowed off light. road or on the Sandy Hook Trail. • Yield to pedestrians. If ap- Interested in riding outside of proaching pedestrians from the the park? The Tawas Bay Pedes- rear, then slow down and let them trian and Bike Path is a paved, know which side you will use to non-motorized trail way that ex- pass. Saying, “On your left” or tends some 13 miles along Michi- “On your right” is the common gan’s Lake Huron shoreline. It of- method. fers a safe and scenic, off-highway • Keep speeds down, especial- route that begins at Dyer Road just ly on footpaths. south of Alabaster and shadows • Be alert for moving vehicles, US-23 through Tawas and East especially in parking areas. Yield Tawas, ending at the lighthouse. It to all vehicles. is also part of the Iron Belle Trail. • Do not ride or leave bikes in Courtesy photo RESTORATION PROJECT – Eleven members of the Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park, nine of whom are pictured above, volunteered 287 hours into the gift house restoration. A new sign, pic- tured above the doorway, designed and created by Kim Sanford of Sanford’s Metal Works in AuGres. Friends group gives update on TPSP REPRINTED from are aware of different colors and lighthouse gift shop building. November 18, 2020 sounds during a crisp morning • They enjoyed the first phases Iosco County News-Herald walk at the Point,” said Barnes. of preservation and restoration of EAST TAWAS – Despite the “The monarch butterflies have the historical Oil House. high water levels and the closing had their annual September Point • Even the Appledore sailed of the lighthouse this year due to gathering and are on their way to past to visit! the coronavirus restrictions, the warmer climates, and many birds The historic Lighthouse Gift The yurt accommodates six people and has two full beds, two twin Friends of Tawas Point Light- have also ‘flown the Point’ in favor Shop building underwent a resto- beds, a refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot. There is also an outside house and State Park, in conjunc- of warmer habitats. ration. According to Barnes, the grill. The yurt is open from April to November and can be reserved up tion with the Michigan Depart- “We’ve even seen those skiffs gift shop building exterior was to a year in advance at www.midnrreservations.com or 800-44-PARKS ment of Natural Resources (DNR) of snow reminding us that de- restored to a new “shine” by 11 (800-447-2757). and Michigan History Center, spite what may be going on in the Friends members who, socially were working behind the scenes world, the seasons of life move distanced and masked, volun- to preserve and make the Point as forward, and we must move along teered 287 hours into the gift accessible as possible during this with it, too.” shop’s restoration, native plantings Ottawa Point Life-Saving Station season. She said the holiday season on the path surrounding the gift According to Vicki Seltz is coming up and those who are shop and a major upgrade in terms Before rail lines crossed the Barnes, Friends marketing and looking for unique gifts for fam- of native plantings on the path state, ships were the primary public relations chairman new ily and friends, the Friends group surrounding the gift shop. In an method of moving goods in the this year is a “Virtual Lighthouse is just releasing our newest Tawas update of Tawas Point State Park/ late 1800’s. Mariners depended Tower Tour.” Point Lighthouse holiday cards, as East Tawas Harbor, Micah Jor- on a series of lighthouses on all “The Friends conceived a new well as note cards, prints and ap- dan, state park supervisor, reports of the Great Lakes to guide them way for our visitors to climb the parel that can be found nowhere the park and harbor did well with on their journeys. The lakes could lighthouse tower, which is the else. They can be found online camping and slip nights, even with turn treacherous without warning most popular activity for visitors at https://www.tawaslighthouse- the many campsite closures due to and there are plenty of stories of any time of year,” said Barnes. friends.com. high water. ships foundering in storms. “Response to the virtual tour has She said the artwork has been “It was amazing to see the The United States Life-Saving Because of the treacherous been great as Alpena’s Channel done by photographers and artists outpouring of support from the Service was founded in 1848 for coastline on Lake Huron, at the 11 featured the tour on National from the region and donated to the campers this year even with the the purpose of rescuing ship- same time the second lighthouse Lighthouse Day in August, eight Friends organization as fundrais- late start to the camping season,” wrecked sailors and passengers.