That is precisely what Alpena residents have.

But, if those resources aren’t respected and cared for, they won’t last as long as we would like, members of the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board say.

Members of the board help to make improvements to the sanctuary and recruit volunteers for that work.

One of the board’s primary focuses is Island Park, which sits in the middle of the Thunder Bay River, connected to Duck Park by a covered bridge, and features multiple trails that wind up and down the interior and coast of the park.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz The Armstrong family, from the Detroit area, enjoy a peaceful kayak trip about the wildlife sanctuary while visiting Alpena on Aug. 10. They said they come to Alpena often, but it was the first time they kayaked near Duck Park.

The park was purchased by the City of Alpena in 1985 with funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund. On any given day, people can see animals such as deer, birds, squirrels, frogs, turtles, and rabbits while exploring the park.

Over the years, however, the island has fallen victim to erosion, litter, and vandalism, which decreases its lifespan, sanctuary officials say.

Simple things like riding bikes or walking off the designated trails can damage the fragile ecosystem, sanctuary board member Judy Kalmanek said.

“The biggest long-term threat to the island are people,” she said. “People are careless, and, no matter how many signs we put out, there are some who don’t follow the guidelines. You can’t ride a bike on the fragile trials. We need people to walk on the trails and not take shortcuts, which create new trails, which is not ideal. Littering is also a big issue.”

While walking on the island, people may not notice certain features if they aren’t paying attention. Hikers on the island pass bug traps, small monuments, and small displays that educate people on the types of native plants and trees, such as fir trees and cattails. Hikers also can find staircases where they can look out over the water, platforms for fishing, and benches to relax or meditate.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Gabbie Smith, left, last week shows Ava Winterstien what some of the trees on Island Park are thanks to the educational stations on the island. Smith was babysitting and decided it was a nice day to tour the island.

Kalmenek said the park is used by many people daily, but many people in Alpena still don’t understand how lucky they are to have a place to recreate in their backyard. She said people enjoy birdwatching, kayaking, fishing, and photography in the sanctuary.

“They are incomparably lucky,” she said. “You can’t just go any place and find what we have here. That is why this is always the most popular park every time they take a survey. Where else can you find something like this, two miles from any downtown?”

Kalmanek has for years also been heavily involved in the River Center project, which would be an interactive learning facility built at Duck Park.

This year, the project took a hit, she said, because little money was raised because of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on events and fundraisers.

Kalmanek said there are plans for fundraising efforts in the not-too-distant future.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Judy Kalmanek last week explains the history of a monument erected on Island Park that is dedicated to the soldiers who died during World War II. The large rock is at the foot of the wooden bridge used to cross from Duck Park to Island Park.

There is also room at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center dedicated to the Wildlife Sanctuary, featuring photos and videos, as well as many mounts of animals native to the sanctuary.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Wildlife Sanctuary Board member Roger Witherbee on Aug. 10 shows off one of the many placards on Island Park that have educational information about the native plants and trees on the island.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Wildlife Sanctuary Board President Terry Gougeon points out the different trails at Island Park recently. He said it is critical people not ride bikes on the island and not stray off the designated pathways. Doing so, he said, damages the park’s integrity and natural surroundings.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz The Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board’s work to combat erosion is ongoing at Island Park. Some of the island has been fenced off, as seen in this recent photo, to keep people from trampling the work being done to protect it.