×

Rockport plan intriguing, share your thoughts

While still in their early planning stages, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has some big plans for Rockport State Recreation Area along Lake Huron’s shorelines north of Alpena.

The DNR’s draft plan would add the following to the 4,237-acre recreation area:

∫ 100 full-service campsites, 55 rustic sites, six hike-in rustic sites, and eight rustic cabins,

∫ a dark sky interpretive area (Rockport is a designated dark sky preserve, meaning it has no light pollution, making for pristine stargazing) that would feature information about the Dark Sky Initiative and star charts, a trail with large ropes on the side for people to guide themselves through the dark on their way to the dark sky viewing area, and three notched-out areas with telescopes for looking out over Lake Huron,

∫ a boat launch and separate kayak launch and a separate parking area for people who want to hike the many trails or search for rocks on the beach or in the quarry,

∫ and a restroom and shower facility.

Also in the works are many benches, picnic tables, and grills placed around the park.

The recreation area already features sinkholes and a quarry rich with fossils.

Richard Hill, the Gaylord district supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, told News staff writer Steve Schulwitz the DNR has no timeline for the project — which currently has no funding set aside (and no estimated price tag) and still must go through a public comment period — but he believes at least some aspects of the current plan will come to fruition.

We’re intrigued.

Rockport already is a real gem for Northeast Michigan, the perfect place to see the northern lights when they appear and to view a dazzling array of galaxies and stars on any night.

On the positive side, the plan proposed by the DNR could make the park more attractive and accessible to more people, which could increase tourism in our area and bring revenue to local stores and restaurants while providing more people an opportunity to enjoy Mother Nature.

On the negative side, the increased traffic (think headlights) and increased use of the park (think flashlights and campfires and burning grills) could diminish the stark blackness of the dark sky preserve, making it so viewers see fewer stars and making the northern lights harder to see. We hope the DNR has factored that into their designs and planned to protect that rare wonder.

We urge every Northeast Michigander to participate in the public comment period, which is open through Nov. 8, by emailing DNR-PRD-GaylordDistrict@Michigan.gov or mailing comments to Hoeft State Park, 5001 U.S.-23 N., Rogers City, Michigan, 49779.

The DNR needs to hear from as many voices as possible before moving forward with any plans.

And we urge the DNR to listen to those voices and act accordingly.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today