Check out this roundup of major news stories on a senate vote to approve a new license plate to help raise money for the Sleeping Bear Dunes; how storm damage and road construction is causing temporary closures of some popular Lakeshore attractions; and the retirement of longtime park superintendent, Dusty Shultz.

Sleeping Bear License Plate Coming Soon?

[source: freep.com/Brian Confer/Pure Michigan]

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Michigan senate voted unanimously earlier this month to add Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore to a list of fundraising license plates. The bill now moves forward to a vote in the House. Money raised would go to Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, a nonprofit that works in partnership with the National Park Service. People who buy a fund-raising plate pay a $25 donation and $10 service fee above the cost of a standard plate.

 

[source: sleepingbeardunes.com]

After 42 years with the National Park Service, Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore’s superintendent, Dusty Shultz, is retiring in November. Shultz became superintendent of Sleeping Bear in 2001. "Her legacy is really for opening the doors to the community and working much more collaboratively with the public here," Deputy Superintendent Tom Ulrich told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. "People, prior to our working with general management plan, sometimes didn’t believe what the park service was saying.” According to the Record-Eagle report, Shultz is looking forward to spending more time with her grandkids.

August 2nd Storm Cleanup And Park Pavement/Road Improvements Causing Temporary Closures

[source: nps.gov]

According to UpNorthLive, pavement/roadwork is expected to cause some travel delays and partial road and closures along Sleeping Bear’s Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. The main Dune Climb parking lot is also undergoing a facelift, but alternate parking areas will mean the Dune Climb remains open.

Work at the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will have sections closed for periods of time, and then the entire drive will be closed for several days so work on the entrance road and southern half can be completed.

According to the report, full closure of the Scenic Drive's is expected to take place between September 29th and October 5th. Work on the Dune Climb parking lot is also expected to finish in early October.

Valley View Backcountry Campground and Alligator Hill Trail Remain Closed

As MLive reported last month, no section of Alligator Hill Trail or the surrounding area was untouched by the 80- to 100-mph straight-line winds that pounded Sleeping Bear and the Glen Arbor region during the now infamous August 2nd storm.

With cleanup crews still hard at work removing uprooted trees and snapped branches along the trail and at the Valley View Backcountry Camp, both sites remain closed.

For the most up-to-date information on all park closures, click here