Students Clean Up State Park

Having just completed ground preperation at the Governor’s summer residence, students Michael Flowers, Bob Mitchell, Neil Davis, and Zachary Foley (from left) take a break on the porch.

Mackinac State Historic Parks received help this spring from the Michigan Career and Technical Institute in Plainwell. Ten volunteer students from Bob Vaccaro’s class in the Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping program spent a week cleaning and preparing park buildings, trails, and grounds, including those at the governor’s summer residence.

Student Bob Mitchell said they enjoyed sprucing up the park and getting things ready for summer visitors.

“The students actually allow us to double our crew capacities during the very important, early season prep time,” said Park Manager Dan Cook.

More than 50,000 students are expected to visit the agency’s three sites in May, and more than one million visitors will enter the various sites from May through October.

Mackinac State Historic Parks includes Fort Mackinac and four downtown museums on Mackinac Island, Colonial Michilimackinac and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, and Historic Mill Creek between Mackinaw City and Cheboygan.