February 2022 eNewsletter

Throughout 2022, FLSP will celebrate its 30th Anniversary by looking back at our history.

Do you remember the Great Lakes Visitor Center at the Ludington State Park? The roof collapsed in March 2009 under a 138+ inches of snow. The roof collapse ended the era of the FLSP having a book store at the LSP, which for many years had served as a key source of fundraising.

New Lanterns

When Jim Gallie was appointed manager of the LSP he suggested that the Friends start lit lantern events similar to those at the Porcupine Mountains State Park. Back in 2014, not knowing if the lantern events would be popular in Ludington, the Friends purchased relatively inexpensive lanterns.  Over the years the lanterns became more difficult to maintain often with many of them not being able to be lit for an event. In December, the Friends received a $450 wishlist grant from the Lowing Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Mason County. The grant was used to purchase and test 15 new lanterns, which we did at the first lit lantern event this year. At the conclusion of the event, the FLSP Board decided that the new lanterns were a significant improvement and are now in the process of replacing the remaining old red lanterns at a cost of $2,400. Hopefully the new lanterns will be used for many years to come. 

FLSP Board Member, Craig Rathke, hanging new lanterns at the LSP. 

Upcoming Events

In January, hundreds of participants came out to enjoy the Saturday evening lit lantern events. There are two more lit lantern events this season -- February 5 and February 19. Come out at 6 p.m. either Saturday and walk or snowshoe the one mile loop free of charge. There are 60 pairs of snowshoes that are available on a first come first serve basis. Enjoy the bonfires and free hot chocolate or tea. We hope to see you at a lit lantern event!

You can also take guided snow shoe hikes with Alan Wernette at 1 p.m. on Saturdays through February 19 and also 6 p.m. on February 12. 

FLSP has scheduled numerous sessions, via Zoom, regarding the Ludington State Park. Everyone is invited to participate in these free sessions by registering here.

• Great Lakes, Past, Present and Future with Alan Wernette, DNR Park Interpreter - Tuesday, February 15, 7 p.m.
• State of the Ludington State Park with Jim Gallie, LSP Park Manager - Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m.

A recording of the recent Big Sable Lighthouse History with Peter Manting, Executive Director of Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association is available by clicking here. 

Brrrewfest was a success!

THANK YOU to all our volunteers that made Brrewfest happen. Over 800 individuals attended the event made possible by 80+ volunteers filling 120 volunteer slots over the course of the event. 

FLSP wants to once again thank PureLudington and the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce for selecting FLSP as the charity partner for this event. Brrrewfest is the largest annual fundraiser for FLSP and makes many of our projects at LSP possible. The total amount  raised by Brrrewfest for FLSP will be announced soon. 

Brrrewfest 2022 in Legacy Plaza

Volunteers Needed for Lantern Events

Skiing by lantern light at the LSP.

Returning this winter are the lite snow shoeing / skiing / hikes on Saturday evenings in January and February. We need volunteers to help with the events.  

For a complete list of winter activities click here.

Adopt-a-Trail and Hike Coordinators 

In 2022, FLSP hopes to announce a more formal Adopt-a-Trail program where volunteers can adopt different trails and areas within the LSP. Adopting a trail or area will require a commitment to periodically walk the area, pick-up any trash and report on the condition of the trail or area. 

FLSP is also considering starting informal guided hikes once or twice a month.  In order to offer such a program we would need hike leaders. Hike leaders would choose a 3 - 7 mile hike to lead. These would be informal hikes with hikers walking at their preferred pace.

If you would be interested in adopting a trail or being a hike leader, please let us know by sending an email to FriendsofLudingtonStatePark@gmail.com. 

FLSP Member Spotlight - Linda and Rocky Burns

Linda and Rocky Burns

We are nature lovers and have enjoyed camping at many of Michigan’s beautiful state parks throughout our childhood and years of raising our family! A favorite destination for beach days has always been Lake Michigan. Our family fell in love with Ludington State Park when camping here which led us to buying a second home in Ludington twenty years ago! Through those years our family has experienced the amazing beauty of all the seasons and have made many wonderful memories enjoying all the fun activities in the park.

After retiring, Rocky and I moved to Ludington and are enjoying all the community has to offer with a main highlight being the State Park! We especially love exploring and hiking on all the trails, beach time, and taking our boat out on Hamlin Lake. Through the years we have appreciated the work that FLSP does. Our family and now grandchildren have had fun doing the lantern light walks, concerts, wild life programs and so much more that the park has to offer! We always knew that once we lived here, we wanted to get involved and volunteer our time with FLSP.

Becoming members has been a great opportunity to meet people with common interests. We are happy to participate in helping out in any way we can. The newsletter along with the volunteer links is an excellent way to keep up on what is going on in the park along with ways we can volunteer. We can see the collaboration it takes with the dedication of the rangers and FLSP to continue programs and improving our beautiful State Park!

Now that we are retired, we love having more time to travel and experience the amazing beauty in State and National Parks around the country. When returning home, we are so thankful to live near awesome Lake Michigan and to have beautiful Ludington State Park to enjoy when our family comes to visit along with the many times every week we head to the park to experience all nature has to offer.

Linda and Rocky Burns

Please consider donating to FLSP!

There are many ways to support the FLSP. You may give towards overall park stewardship (trees, trail maintenance, historical structure repair), programming (summer entertainment, environmental education, signage, snowshoeing) or specific projects. See our donor page for more information. 

Membership Renewal

It is that time of year for annual membership renewals. You may pay your renewal on-line or by mailing a check indicating that it is for your membership.

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