To accommodate an all-volunteer workforce organized by Michigan Cares for Tourism, portions of Leelanau State Park will be closed Sept. 16-17.

The project will involve more than 275 tourism industry volunteers from across the state coming together to paint, install a new playground, clear trails and clean the campground.

For volunteer and visitor safety, the campground and a section of the trail will temporarily close Monday, Sept. 16 and Tuesday, Sept. 17, and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse will temporarily close Tuesday, Sept. 17.

MC4T is a 100% volunteer organization that brings the tourism industry together to donate time, resources and energy to help restore the state's historic, cultural and natural attractions. The organization partners with the Department of Natural Resources, Travel Michigan, Indian Trails, Grand Valley State University and many Michigan-based businesses each year.

"We can't be more excited to have these tourism professionals coming together to volunteer at the park," said Stephanie Rosinski, supervisor for both Leelanau and Keith J. Charters Traverse City state parks. "In just one day, more than $50,000 in labor and $100,000 in supplies and materials will be contributed to this gem of a state park."

In only eight years, including this volunteer event, MC4T will have empowered more than 2,700 volunteers and provided more than $750,000 in supplies and labor over the course of 10 projects.

The park, located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, is home to 1,300 scenic acres, a rustic campground, hiking and cross-country ski trails and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, where visitors can walk through the restored keeper’s dwelling and climb the tower for spectacular views of Lake Michigan.

For the latest information on this and other DNR recreation closures, visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures. For more information on the volunteer project at the park, visit Michigan.gov/Leelanau and MichiganCaresforTourism.org.

Questions on the closure can be directed to Leelanau State Park at 231-386-5422 or Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum at 231-386-7195.

Contact: Stephanie Rosinski (Leelanau State Park), 231-922-5270 or Patty Janes (MC4T), 989-424-0123

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