General Management Planning Public Input Open House 2011 DNR Parks & Recreation Division Assisted by Birchler Arroyo Associates

GMP Phase 1 Planning Process Benchmarks 3 Kick-off Meeting 3 Planning Team Meeting 1: Core Values 3 Planning Team Meeting 2: Draft Management Zones 3 Stakeholders Workshop r Public Participation Workshop (today) r Planning Team Meeting 3: Review Final Draft Plan

Purpose of Today’s Meeting r Review statements of significance for Pinckney & Waterloo Recreation Areas n What is special about each park? n Why is each park significant? n What types of recreation activities and management actions are appropriate within areas of the parks? r Review draft management zones for Pinckney & Waterloo Recreation Areas that support each park’s unique identity

r 11,000 acres ( most are in a natural state) r More than 25 major lakes r 64 miles of internal trails r Trail connection to the region via the Lakelands trail r 1 modern and 2 rustic campgrounds and a yurt r 2 day use areas Pinckney Recreation Area General Characteristics

Pinckney Recreation Area Natural Features r Chain of lakes that create a water trail for boaters r Potential habitat area for threatened and endangered species r Several areas of prairie fens r Wet mesic and mesic sand prairies

Pinckney Recreation Area Facilities r 2 day use areas r 186 site modern campground r 2 rustic campgrounds offering a total of 30 sites r 11 boat launch sites r 64 miles of internal trials

Pinckney Recreation Area Activities & Programs r Camping r Hiking r Mountain biking r Equestrian trials r Cross-country skiing r Boating r Swimming r Fishing r Hunting r Picnicking r Bird watching / wildlife viewing

Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Purpose q To be used as a public park q To preserve Park’s unique natural resources for current and future generations q To provide diverse recreational opportunities to nearby populations q To provide educational and interpretive opportunities that reflect the DNR mission and unique qualities of Pinckney Recreation Area

Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Significance r Park offers hunting, trapping, and fishing opportunities, which are unique in southeast Michigan r Offers an “up north” feel in lower Michigan, due to its land mass and natural features r Hosts a great diversity of users – hunters, birders, trail runners, geo-cachers, equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers, fishermen/women r Offers a variety of camping opportunities.

Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Significance r Internal trail system that provides external connections to the region r Large potential habitat area, unique geology, and wildlife corridors for threatened and endangered species r Archeological and pre-historic sites that offer educational opportunities r A chain of lakes that create a water trail for boaters

Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Significance r A destination for health and fitness group events and training, as well as recreation for individual users r Frequently used for University of Michigan classes and research due to its proximity to the U of M biological research station r U of M’s Stinchfield Woods offers a potential trail connection to the HCMA’s Hudson Mills and Dexter- Huron metroparks

Pinckney Recreation Area Draft Management Zone Plan

Pinckney Recreation Area Primitive Zone r Low impact traffic to preserve and protect the natural communities r Hiking, hunting, trapping, fishing, cross-country skiing, nature observation r Opportunities for ecology education r Significant sense of solitude r Low impact management focus with limited evidence of human activity

Pinckney Recreation Area Backcountry Zone r Natural resources modified slightly to support visitor use r Applies to trails and allows for non-motorized outdoor activity r Low noise tolerance and low interaction with others r Self-reliant visitor activities with management focus on low impact activity and natural resource quality

Pinckney Recreation Area Developed Recreation Zone  High use areas, including the campgrounds  High level of visitor encounters  Management focus on public safety and universal access  High level of development, including parking lots, restrooms, campground, cabins

Pinckney Recreation Area Visitor Services Zone  All administrative office and maintenance operations  Visitor experience limited to business office and information  Focus on business of running the park

Pinckney Recreation Area Detailed Section Map

Waterloo Recreation Area

r 21,000 acres r Swimming beaches r Rustic and modern camping sites r Many miles of trails offering hiking, cross county skiing, and equestrian opportunities r Educational and interpretive services Waterloo Recreation Area General Characteristics

Waterloo Recreation Area Natural Features r 17 major lakes ranging from 7 to 531 acres r Large intact wetland system at Portage Lake r Many exemplary natural communities and rare plant and animal species r Black spruce bog r An exemplary aquatic community at Doyle Lake

Waterloo Recreation Area Facilities r Swimming beaches r Eddy Visitor Center r 300 modern and 50 rustic campsites r Picnic shelters r Hiking, equestrian, cross country ski trails r Portage Lake concession/store

Waterloo Recreation Area Activities & Programs r Camping r Hiking r Picnicking r Cross-country skiing r Wildlife viewing / bird watching r Swimming r Fishing r Horseback riding r Hunting in certain areas r Educational and Interpretive programs r Metal detecting in designated areas

Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Purpose q To be used as a public park q To preserve the park’s unique natural resources for current and future generations q To provide diverse recreational opportunities to nearby populations q To provide educational and interpretive opportunities that reflect the DNR mission and unique qualities of Waterloo Recreation Area

Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Significance r Features more rare animal and plant species, and exemplary natural communities, than any other park in the State system r Co-managed by the Wildlife and Parks Recreation Division r Third largest property in the State park system r Largest State park system property in the Lower Peninsula r Contains a rich cultural history

Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Significance r Eddy Discovery Center offers a nature study area and interpretive activities r A variety of camping opportunities are available, including rustic sites and modern campgrounds r Offers an “up north” feel in southeast lower Michigan due to its combined land mass and natural features r Has several important volunteer programs

Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Significance r Park is used by several organizations located nearby r Contains designated Natural Beauty Roads r Idle stable facility has potential to provide additional horseback riding opportunities r Motor boat launches and “quiet” boating opportunities available

Waterloo Recreation Area Draft Management Zone Plan

Waterloo Recreation Area Primitive Zone r Native species and natural processes take precedence over visitor accommodations r Hiking, backpacking, primitive camping, cross-country skiing, nature observation, hunting, trapping, and fishing r Ecological education opportunities r Experience natural feel, sense of solitude, lack of man- made improvements

WRA - Primitive Draft Management Zone Plan

Waterloo Recreation Area Backcountry Zone r Natural resources modified slightly to support visitor use r Applies to trails and allows for non-motorized outdoor activity r Low noise tolerance and low interaction with others r Management focus on low-impact character with emphasis on natural resource quality

WRA - Backcountry Draft Management Zone Plan

Waterloo Recreation Area Natural Resource Recreation  Development can include parking lots, accessible trails, picnic facilities and similar improvements  Natural resources are protected  Visitors will experience interaction with other visitors  Management focus on universal access

WRA - Natural Resource Recreation Draft Management Zone Plan

Waterloo Recreation Area Developed Recreation Zone  Natural resources actively managed and modified to support visitor activities  Modern and cabin camping, boating, canoeing, kayaking, nature observation, day-use beach, picnicking  Public safety, protection of resources, and universal access are management priorities  High level of development to support visitor activities

WRA - Developed Recreation Draft Management Zone Plan

Waterloo Recreation Area Visitor Services Zone  Visitors obtain information at park headquarters  High level of development for support of administrative activities  Management in this zone focuses on business of running the park

WRA - Visitor Services

Waterloo Recreation Area Cultural Overlay Zone  Historical and cultural structures, remnants, and landscapes preserved  Engage in recreational and educational activities related to historic development, prehistoric peoples and Native Americans that settled the area  Management focus on maintaining cultural character of zone with emphasis on developed recreation opportunities

WRA - Cultural Overlay

Waterloo Recreation Area Scenic Overlay Zone  High encounters expected  Maintain quality viewscapes and public safety  Development to support visitor access and interpretive activities

WRA - Scenic Overlay Draft Management Zone Plan

Waterloo Recreation Area Detailed Section Map

Pinckney & Waterloo Rec Areas For Additional Information PROJECT WEBSITE | PHONE