Michigan State Parks and Recreation System Ronald A. Olson, Chief Parks and Recreation Division Department of Natural Resources Desired Outcomes… Serve Michigan residents and non-resident tourists by providing affordable outdoor recreation experiences Generate lifelong memories Preserve a 92-year legacy of the Michigan State Park system Preserve and enhance public access to Michigan’s lakes & rivers Preserve and protect the unique cultural, historical and natural resources found in the state parks Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Recommendations: Identify and protect important natural, cultural, historic, and prehistoric resources for the enjoyment and education of Michigan’s residents and visitors, and expand efforts to engender stewardship of those resources. Diversify funding and use new criteria to target investments toward achieving the outcomes articulated in this report. Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations on State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Make the development of statewide and regional systems of connected trail networks one of the state’s highest priorities for outdoor recreation investment over the next ten years. Encourage greater connections between communities and their recreational assets to strengthen regional identities. Use parks and recreation areas as a key tool for revitalizing Michigan’s core urban areas by creating four to five Signature Parks and integrating green infrastructure into Michigan’s urban redesign and redevelopment efforts. Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations on State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Integrate tourism and economic development marketing in order to fully leverage the economic and social benefits that parks and outdoor recreation resources can provide. Prioritize investment in the safety and maintenance of, and access to, parks and recreation spaces. Department’s Priorities Four Priorities of the DNR: Renewing our Emphasis on Customer Service Building Strong Support for the Recreation Passport Increasing Resident/Visitor Participation in Outdoor Recreation and Stopping the Decline in Hunting & Fishing Fostering the Growth of Michigan's Natural Resource- Based Economy Why We Do It… Great states have great state parks To preserve and enhance the quality of life in Michigan To provide convenient access to recreation opportunities for Michigan citizens all citizens are within a 1 hour drive of a state park To partner with other recreation providers to boost tourism in Michigan and sustain & enhance the economy state parks are attractive to businesses Who We Are…Parks and Recreation Opportunities 101 diverse state parks and recreation areas Host 24 million visitors annually in state parks 285,150 acres 14,173 campsites 1,085 miles of non- motorized trails, which includes 5 state park linear trails 12,500 mile trail system, which includes Outdoor recreation in state forests (134 campgrounds) ORV and snowmobile trails Who We Are…Boating Michigan ranks among the top 3 states in the nation for registered boats 1,100 developed public launch sites 850 operated by the Recreation Division 63 Grant-in-Aid Harbors 17 State owned Harbors of Refuge Harbor partners complete the Harbor of Refuge necklace around the Great Lakes Who We Are…Michigan Trails System • Grant Applications • Acquire • Develop • Grant Administration • Recreation Improvement Fund • Recreation Trails Program • Manage Partnerships Pure Michigan Trails TheThe Trail Trail Partnership Partnership Michigan Department of Transportation Michigan Department of Natural Resources National Park Service – Rivers and Trails Local Governments Mid-West Michigan Trail Authority The Meijer Foundation Fred Meijer Friends - River Valley and CIS Biking & Hiking (Non-Motorized) Water Trails ATV/ORV (Motorized) Snowmobile (Motorized) How We Are Funded… Michigan State Parks No general fund taxpayer dollars since 2004 Use Fees (camping, park entry, concessions) Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund via mineral & gas royalties Michigan Boating Gas Tax (1.6% of gas tax) Boat registrations User Fees (boat slips, boat site entry, service fees) Federal Funds Trails and Outdoor Recreation in State Forests Camping Fees Snowmobile and ORV Permit Fees (Source: FY2011 data) State Parks & Recreation System 2013 Estimated Revenue Sources Total Revenue = $134,624,600 (General Fund = 0.2%) Waterways $21,721,800 Park Endowment 16% Sources: $52,072,600 Gas Taxes 61% 39% Boat Registration 23% Rec. Passport 5% Sources: Harbor Res. 4% Gas/Oil/Mineral Royalties Others 7% Available to spend: 43% Returned to Corpus: 43% Investment Earnings: 14% Trails $16,092,500 12% Park Improvement $44,737,700 33% User Fees: Snowmobile Permit 48% Camping 59% ORV Permit 20% Park Entry 39% Forest Recreation 11% Others 2% Snowmobile Registration 8% Others 13% State Parks and Recreation System 2013 Appropriations Total Appropriation = $123,532,600 Boating Access Sites, Harbors, State Parks and Recreation Program & Local Facility Grants, and Operations and Capital Improvements Capital Improvements Waterways Park Endowment 25% 22% $31,351,100 $27,629,600 Trails Park 17% Improvement $20,525,000 36% $44,026,900 Operations, Programs, Grants, and Capital Improvements State Parks and Recreation Program & Operations and Capital Improvements Compared to Other States… Michigan State Parks 2nd in campground revenue generation 2nd in the number of campers (California #1) 10th in overall visitation 32nd in the number of full-time employees 47th in total capital infrastructure expenditures Last in state tax funding support (zero) Spending $2.11 per visitor to provide services, 43% below the national average of $3.70 per visitor* Michigan Boating 3rd in Boat Registrations Trails #1 in Rail-Trail miles Economic Impact… Michigan State Parks State Park operations (camping/day use) contribute $650 million annually to local economies Each dollar spent to provide recreation opportunities in State parks returns $13 to local economies In 2010, out-of-state residents represented 30% of daily entry permit sales and 10% of annual permit sales Michigan Boating Nearly 1 million registered boats Recreational Boating contributes $2 billion annually to local economies Funding Change In 1976 = 70% general tax funds In 2004 = 0% general tax funds Ballot initiative to constitutionally restrict funds Completed an updated strategic plan, “Sustaining 90 Years of Excellence” Applying a public service business approach to operations and maintenance To retain a fund balance-internally withheld $2.8 million of appropriation for 4 years Reduced permanent staff 13.2% since 2000 Initiated market-based fee adjustments Kept ALL state parks open Guided by a citizens advisory committee Initiated innovations and partnerships What is the Recreation Passport? On October 1, 2010, the Recreation Passport became the annual entry pass to state parks, boat launches for outdoor adventures ($10 vehicles, $5 motorcycles) • Non-Residents purchase daily ($8) or annual ($29) for park/BAS entry o Effective January 2013, the Recreation Passport increased to $11 based on the CPI; motorcycles remained at $5 • Non-Residents daily ($8.40) or annual ($30.50) o Provides funding for park infrastructure (50%), augments funding for park operations (30%), state forest campgrounds and recreation trails (7%), cultural/historic restoration (2.75%), and provides a new matching grant program for local park and recreation entities (10%) Provides opportunity for Michigan vehicle owners to voluntarily participate in funding State Parks Replaces state park and boat launch stickers, a 58% reduction in annual fee (was $24 annual and $6 daily) Where did the Recreation Passport concept originate? The Citizen’s Committee for Michigan State Parks was charged with finding a sustainable funding source for State Parks Assessed numerous options and adopted the Montana model and submitted the idea to the Legislature A series of 4 bills were introduced in a bi-partisan, bi-cameral approach and the Governor signed the bills into law on April 1, 2010 The program was launched by the Department of State through the Secretary of State vehicle registration program on October 1, 2010 Why the Recreation Passport? o Sustainable funding for infrastructure repair and replacement o One of the primary goals from the strategic plan o The State parks documented over 600 projects o Current cost of infrastructure projects is over $300 million o Less than 1% of infrastructure needs have been met annually Location: Holland State Park, Lake Macatawa Toilet/Shower Building Issue: Roof Leaking Through Light Fixtures Photo Date: 2008 1,345 Buildings23 System WIde Location: Ionia Recreation Area Issue: Deteriorated Road System Photo Date: 2007 468 Miles of Paved Roads & 43,092 Parking Spaces System Wide 24 Location: South Higgins Lake State Park Issue: Sanitary Sewer Manhole Collapse Photo Date: 2007 49 Wastewater Lagoons, 232 Septic Fields & 68 Sanitation Stations System Wide 25 Location: Tahquamenon Falls State Park Issue: Failing Foundation Footings at Observation Platforms Photo Date: 2008 26 Location: Craig Lake State Park Issue: Failing Bridge27 Structural Support Photo Date: 2007 Location: Interlochen State Park Issue: Inadequate and Failing Electrical Service Photo Date: 2008 14,173 Campsites with Electrical Service System Wide 28 Location: Pinckney Recreation Area Issue: Seasonal29 Campsite Flooding Photo Date: 2007 Location: Warren Dunes State Park Issue: