COVID-19-inspired signage is displayed throughout the community to keep Marquette residents hopeful and strong during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Carol Margrif)

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, most state parks, state-managed trails and boating access sites stayed open to provide local opportunities for outdoor recreation. At the same time, the DNR worked behind the scenes to prepare to fully open sites and facilities once the department could again perform nonessential work and hire and train summer park workers.

Dispersed camping on state-managed lands, which allows for greater social distancing and does not involve shared restroom or shower facilities, resumed May 29.

However, camping at the state’s more than 140 rustic state forest campgrounds and overnight stays in DNR-managed harbors resume on Wednesday.

Camping, overnight lodging facilities, day-use shelters and sanitation stations in state parks and recreation areas will reopen on June 22.

For Friday, June 5.

The DNR has developed new operational and sanitation procedures to ensure the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff. Additionally, outdoor social gatherings of up to 100 people are permitted, as long as everyone practices proper social distancing of at least 6 feet from people outside your household.

Facility parking lots also may be temporarily closed if people congregate too closely or if the location exceeds parking capacity.

There are still opportunities to book a stay in nearly all DNR facilities this summer and into fall. Reservations for campsites and harbor slips can be made up to six months in advance of a planned arrival date, or 12 months in advance for overnight lodging facilities and day-use shelters. Visit MiDNRReservations.com or call 800-44PARKS.

Camping, campfires allowed

Camping and campfires are allowed again in the Hiawatha National Forest.

“In addition to our trails and day use, which remained open over the past couple months, we are looking forward to reopening the forest for these additional activities,” Cid Morgan, Hiawatha National Forest supervisor, said in a news release.

Hiawatha’s staff and concessionaires are working toward phased reopening of reservable campsites, campgrounds and rental cabins. Until then, reservable camping and rentals will remain temporarily closed.

For an updated list of open areas and up-to-date information on re-openings, visit the Hiawatha National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/hiawatha/recreation, Facebook at @HiawathaNF or Twitter at @HiawathaNF.

“While we understand there may be excitement from the public to return to favorite recreation areas, there may be limited services or spaces available,” Morgan said. “Please continue to follow local, state and federal guidelines on staying safe and practice good hygiene and social distancing wherever you choose to visit.”

Reservations for camping will be reactivated once health and safety assessments have been completed for these facilities. People are asked to monitor Recreation.gov for updated availability. Those with existing campground and cabin rental reservations through Recreation.gov will be notified via email and/or text message if there are any changes.

Rental cabins will not be cleaned in between use. As in previous years, it is up to the individual renters to bring their own cleaning supplies and to clean before and after use of the site.

Trails and trailheads remain open. Users are asked to avoid congregating at trailheads and/or parking areas.

The Hiawatha National Forest also is extending the availability of free personal use firewood cutting on the Hiawatha National Forest to the general public through July 15.

Current free-use firewood permits set to expire June 15 are automatically extended to July 15 without the need to obtain a new permit.

During this time of social distancing, a personal use firewood permit will be issued upon request by calling one of the following offices: the Munising, Manistique or Rapid River districts, 906-387-2512 or 906-474-6442, or the St. Ignace or Sault Ste. Marie districts, 906-643-7900 or 906-298-0111.

Standing dead and down trees may be gathered for firewood. Further guidelines for cutting will be provided with the permit. This authority applies only to non-commercial firewood cutting on Hiawatha National Forest system lands.

Crowdfunding program to be used

More than 100 small businesses around Michigan will use the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s MI Local Biz crowdfunding program throughout June, the MEDC announced. MEDC will provide a total of $500,000 in matching grants to help the businesses as they work to recover from the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Michigan’s small businesses and traditional downtowns are a vital part of the state’s economy, and this program offers innovative access to capital for those businesses currently experiencing a loss in revenue directly related to the COVID-19 crisis,” MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton said in a news release. “Helping our local businesses to successfully reopen lays a path for economic recovery in communities across the state, while offering patrons an opportunity to support businesses in a time of need.”

Launched in May, the MI Local Biz program builds on the MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC.

MI Local Biz allows for a small business to use donation-based crowdfunding through Michigan-based Patronicity’s existing platform and to receive a 1:1 matching grant from MEDC of up to $5,000.

Funds must be used by the businesses for working capital needs to maintain ongoing operations during and through the COVID-19 crisis.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.