The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced that it will offer its second annual State Park Motorcycle Poker Run on Sunday, June 8, at several state parks and recreation areas in southeast Michigan. Riders will collect cards by visiting participating locations, trying to make the best possible poker hand to win prizes - all while enjoying Michigan's great outdoors.
Participants on motorcycles taking part in the 2013 Motorcycle Poker Run.Riders who visit all participating locations (listed below) will cover a geographic area ranging from Holly to Lake Orion to Chelsea to Brooklyn. Riders must visit a minimum of five locations (drawing a card at each one) in order to get a five-card poker hand. Those who want to increase their odds of a better hand can visit all 10 locations. Once riders have the poker hand they want, they can go to one of three locations (spread out throughout the run) to "play" the hand. Every poker hand is a winner; the better the hand, the bigger the prize.
Check-in is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pinckney State Recreation Area's Silver Lake day-use area. At check-in, participants will pay a suggested $20 donation, receive a map of all 10 locations, pick up some cool swag and receive last-minute details. The location map is required as proof of participation to "play a hand" at the end of the poker run. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the veterans' councils in Livingston and Washtenaw counties.
"The Motorcycle Poker Run is a great outing for a great cause," said Tracy Ball, recreation programming assistant with the DNR's Parks and Recreation Division. "It's an opportunity to get outdoors, explore our beautiful state parks and have a good time with fellow riders."
Motorcycle Poker Run participants should know that:
- Players can begin at any participating location (but need to check in at Pinckney State Recreation Area sometime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) and set their own course. The whole route can be accomplished on paved roads.
- They have until 8 p.m. to gather their cards and then play their hand at one of the following locations: Colasanti's Market (468 Milford Road, Highland); Knutson's Sporting Goods (164 Wamplers Lake Road, Brooklyn); or the front porch of Hell in a Handbasket Country Store, 4025 Patterson Lake Road, Hell/Pinckney).
- Camping is available in every participating park except Bald Mountain Recreation Area and Maybury State Park. Camping reservations can be made at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling 800-44-PARKS.
- In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to Sunday, June 15. (The Devils Lake and Sand Lake boating access sites (Hayes State Park) will not participate on the alternate rain date.)
For more details, contact Tracy Ball at 231-944-0078 or ballt4@michigan.gov or visit www.michigan.gov/stateparks.
The following locations (with GPS coordinates where appropriate) will participate in the Motorcycle Poker Run event and pass out cards
Bald Mountain Recreation Area
Lower Trout Lake Beach entrance booth, located off U.S. 24 and Lapeer Road in Lake Orion. GPS coordinates: 42.73294, -83.24146
Brighton Recreation Area
Bishop Lake Campground, 5210 Bishop Lake Road, in Brighton
Hayes State Park
Devils Lake boating access site, address 'range' is 9590-9730 Devils Lake Highway, in Addison or Manitou Beach, right at the line. GPS coordinates: 41.978874, -84.310563
Sand Lake boating access site
Address 'range' is 332-354 Pentecost Highway, in Onsted. GPS coordinates: 42.049221, -84.125426. The Devils Lake and Sand Lake boating access sites will be staffed only until 5:30 p.m.
Holly Recreation Area
McGinnis Lake Campground Office, 5300 McGinnis Road, in Holly. GPS coordinates:
N 42.8162, W 83.5358
Highland Recreation Area
Park Headquarters, 5200 Highland Road (M-59), in White Lake
Maybury State Park
Concession building, 49775 8 Mile Road, in Northville. Use the 8 Mile Road entrance 1 mile west of Beck.
Pinckney State Recreation Area
Concession stand at the Silver Lake day-use area, 8555 Silver Hill Road, in Pinckney. Cards are available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only at this location.
Pinckney State Recreation Area
Bruin Lake Campground Office, 21237 Kaiser Road, in Gregory
Waterloo Recreation Area
Portage Lake Campground, 11700 Seymour Road, in Grass Lake. GPS coordinates: 42.32530,-84.24166
A $5 motorcycle Recreation Passport is required for all motorcycles participating in the run to gain access into the parks. Recreation Passports will be available for purchase at each participating park.
The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking "YES" for the $11 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, nonmotorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. In addition, Recreation Passport holders can enjoy real savings at businesses and retailers that participate in the Passport Perks discount program.
The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($31 annual; $9 daily) at any state park or recreation area or (annual passes only) through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.
Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan's outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. For information on Passport Perks shopping discounts or how businesses and retailers can enroll in the program, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
Contact: Tracy Ball, 231-944-0078 or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815
