Posts

Sleeping Bear tourism creates $132 million for local economy

A new National Park Service report for 2011 shows that the 1,348,304 visitors to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spent $132,774,000 in communities surrounding the park. This spending supported 2,347 jobs in the local area. “Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a wonderful place to learn about America’s story,” said Park Superintendent Dusty Shultz. “We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience the park and then spend time and money enjoying the services provided by our neighboring communities.”

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National Lakeshore to get federal wilderness approval

The Ticker and other media outlets reported earlier this month that the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will receive the highest level of federal conservation protection for nearly 50 percent of our branch of the National Park Service.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes waives entrance fee for MLK Day

In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to announce that the entrance fee to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) will be waived on Monday, Jan. 21.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes record-breaking visitor tally up 13.6 percent in 2012

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The numbers have been counted, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore reports that the pristine National Park in northwest-lower Michigan attracted 1,531,560 visitors in 2012 — a record-breaking tally by a wide margin. On the strength of the “Good Morning America” television show’s “Most Beautiful Place in America” honor in August 2011, and the added attention it cast on Glen Arbor and the surrounding region, 13.59 percent more tourists ran up our dunes, hiked our trails and frequented our restaurants and galleries last year compared with 2011.

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Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes aids Park Service

The nonprofit Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes works with the management and staff of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to plan and implement projects that the National Park Service is unable to do because of limited budget or staff. This year has been a banner year in terms of volunteer hours and funds provided to the Park, reports Friends of the Sleeping Bear.

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Snowshoe Season at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

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Start your New Year’s holiday off with this simple checklist of resolutions you’re sure to enjoy, and maybe even keep, while snowshoeing at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Spend more time with family and friends. Check. Get some exercise. Check. Learn something new. Check. Connect with nature. Check. Explore your very own national park. Check.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers free, ranger-guided programs

“Saturdays at the Lakeshore” programs take place every Saturday from Sept. 15 through Oct. 27. Meet at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire on M-72 at 1 p.m. to meet the Park Ranger who will lead the hike. Then, car caravan a short distance to where the walk will begin. Each week, a different topic and location in the park will be featured. All are welcome. Each program will be no more than a mile and a half round trip and will conclude by 3 p.m.

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Port Oneida Fair features Civil War encampment, music and arts

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The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host the 11th annual Port Oneida Rural Arts and Culture Fair on Aug. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors to the event may take a shuttle, drive, hike, or bike between six unique historic sites to enjoy a variety of activities. Each week leading up to the fair, details will be made available about one of the following sites: Burfiend Barn, Kelderhouse Farm, Olsen Farm, Thoreson Farm, Dechow Farm, and Port Oneida Schoolhouse.

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Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail receives $1.62 million

The Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Committee, Michigan Department of Transportation, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails, and Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes are proud to announce that the Federal Department of Transportation 2012 Public Lands Highway Discretionary (PLHD) program has awarded $1.62 million for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (SBHT). The PLHD funds will be used to construct 3.17 miles of the trail starting at Port Oneida Road and ending at Leelanau County Road 669/Bohemian Road.

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Port Oneida Fair held Aug. 10-11

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to announce that the 11th annual Port Oneida Rural Arts and Culture Fair will be held on Aug. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the many popular demonstrations, animals and exhibits, the fair will be a zero-waste event, will feature a chicken dinner on Friday, and will end with an astronomy party on Saturday night.

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