Find the Perfect Spot. Lake Michigan, wooded ridges. Thompson’s Harbor State Park. They described their efforts at the March 13 Chelsea Community Forum. 2020-01-22 msoey Birds, Environment, Local Dr. T.K. User: seriousfun / MorgueFile.com . The World’s ninth International Dark Sky Park located in Mackinaw City With deep dark skies overhead, the vast expanse of Lake Michigan to the west, bustling Mackinaw City to the east and 600 acres of pristine, old-growth forest, the Headlands park property is a gem. The Event Center is open to rent, if you're planning a wedding or special event, you can even schedule a tour to see it yourself! This position consists of operating various telescopes, public speaking, and communicating with the general public while giving guided tours of the sky on clear nights. It is found in the county of McKinley, New Mexico. The Headlands was established in the 1960s. Lawless Parkjust became one of only 79 “International Dark-Sky Parks” in the world, and is the second one in Michigan. 3.5 mi to Headlands International Dark Sky Park. While Headlands is the only International Dark Sky Park in the state, Michigan has state-designated dark sky preserves within six state parks. Parrish jokes that the application was longer than his master’s thesis. Nearest City or Town. County. Negwegon State Park. The 7 Best Spots for Stargazing in Michigan, Detroit Free Press, March 5, 2017. The park is open 24/7, every day of the year. Lawless County Park in southwest Michigan has been designated an International Dark Sky Park by … Headlands International Dark Sky Park: Mackinaw City, Michigan. You can stay in touch with WMUK news on Facebook, Twitter, and by signing up for our eNewsletter. The Chaco Culture National Historical Park was listed in 1987 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park has an area of about 13,750 hectares and attracts about 39,175 visitors. From downtown Mackinaw City, head west on Central Avenue — the main street through the downtown. A swarm of 46 million grasshoppers was lured by the lights of Las Vegas and died there. It's one of only 10 designated dark sky parks in the world. These locations are specially designated because they have qualities that complement nighttime viewing, such as the ability to limit the amount of artificial light. Port Crescent State Park. Temporarily closed. Rockport State Park. Mary Stewart Adams, the program director at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, joined us from Emmett County. Regions. New Detroit sign ordinance to release flood of digital billboards, Fireflies face extinction due to light pollution, Grasshopper swarm responds to Las Vegas lights, MIDS KIDS Light Shielding Activity available. Latitude. Lawless Park just became one of only 79 “International Dark-Sky Parks” in the world, and is the second one in Michigan. 907. 4.9/5. Wonderful! By Associated Press • Apr 3, 2016 . A new dark-sky group in Chelsea has organized and has recommended a few revisions to the Chelsea Zoning Ordinance to improve and update the lighting ordinance. The Cass County Parks and Recreation Department announced this month that Dr. T.K. The 600 acre property is an old-growth forest set along Lake Michigan near Mackinaw City. Michigan now has two International Dark Sky Parks, after the Dr. T.K. Easy. Wyman says longer-term goals include a nature center, an observatory, and more interactive programs. When his father passed away two years ago, Parrish knew he had to get Lawless Park certified as a "dark skies park" in his honor. “I like to say that we’re not only stewards of the land and the water, but now we are stewards of the sky as well,” Wyman says. If your sky view is lacking because of where you live, a trip to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City is definitely in order. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah. DETROIT – Michigan now has two International Dark Sky Park designations.. Despite sitting close to downtown Mackinaw City on Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Headlands rarely encounters light pollution, so you'll enjoy phenomenal views no matter when you visit. Address: Ossineke, MI 49766. That will coincide with the Michiana Astronomical Society’s annual “Star Party.”. Dr. T.K. The park will host an official celebration of the dark-sky designation April 24-26. Northwest . Michigan's New International Dark Sky Park - What To Know - Across Michigan, MI - Stargazing this year? It took the Cass County Parks Department two-and-a-half years to complete the application process with the International Dark-Sky Association. But its new designation by the International Dark-Sky Association makes the park one of only two dark sky parks in the state of Michigan and the only one in southern Michigan. The process began about two years ago but the night sky has been on Parrish’s mind since he was a young boy living in Virginia. And when you combine that with the space race of the 1980’s, I was hooked.”. Michigan now has a second Dark Sky Park just outside of Kalamazoo. Heads up at the Headlands! You’ll find 600 acres of old-growth forest and more than two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, all undiluted by light pollution. Dr. T.K. Scientists have long believed that when two neutron stars crash into each other in a “kilonova,” they create gravity waves. Lake Michigan (Cecil Bay) waterfront near Mackinaw and Wilderness State Park Property 7: Lake Michigan (Cecil Bay) waterfront near Mackinaw and Wilderness State Park. Perhaps its most coveted feature, the Headlands Dark Sky Park includes more than two miles of Lake Michigan coastline. In the short-term, they include a new website and longer park hours. But a new dark sky park in Cass County, Michigan will provide a place to see the night sky in its full glory. There are numerous campgrounds within a 15-minute drive of Headlands Dark Sky Park, in Mackinaw City, Michigan. Credit Robert Parrish A park in Cass County has won international recognition for having an amazing view of the night sky. Once you’ve left the city lights behind, it is time to find the right spot to set up … 4-mile loop. Together with Headlands, our state now has two IDA Dark Sky Parks and six state-designated dark sky reserves. 780 Sq. N 45° 46' 39.00" Longitude. Terrain. Lawless Park, which are the only internationally designated preserves in the state. 20 Michigan parks to stay open late for Dark Sky Week. … Additionally, Michigan is home to Headlands International Dark Sky Park and Dr. T.K. A park in Cass County has won international recognition for having an amazing view of the night sky. Cottage. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Headlands Dark Sky Park is a 550-acre, undeveloped patch of land that plays host to a number of natural wonders, including local wildlife and several species of endangered plants. Trail Type. New IDA Dark Sky Park in Michigan! Difficulty. Headlands International Dark Sky Park. The Headlands has 600 acres of woods and two miles of undeveloped shoreline just waiting to be explored. Dr. T.K. That's the magic behind the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, a 600 acre park along the shore of Lake Michigan near Mackinaw City. In 2010 it was designated as an International Dark-Sky Park. You see bits and pieces that aren't drowned out by light pollution from city streetlights and buildings (many buildings that don't need to be lit up from top to bottom during the night). Multi-use. The Cass County Parks and Recreation Department announced last week that Dr. T.K. The skinny: Designated as a dark sky preserve last year, Negwegon State Park … Michigan is lucky to play host to both dark sky preserves and parks that offer stellar celestial landscapes. “My father spent a lot of years in the Navy and he would relate to me what the stars would look like from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean,” Parrish says. Ft. Property Type Cottage2 Bedrooms1 Bathroom6 Sleeps780 Square Feet. W 084° 46' 27.12" Distance . If you haven’t heard about the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County, you need to visit. by jayh494. A dark-sky preserve (DSP), also known as a dark sky reserve, is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that restricts artificial light pollution.The purpose of a dark sky preserve is generally to promote astronomy.. Because different national organizations have worked independently to create their programs, different terms have been used to describe the areas. Buy the $.99 downloadable map! More evidence that light pollution is a major cause of the insect apocalypse, as reported by the New York Times. Emmet. Contact ChelseaDarkSkies@gmail.com for more info, or to join. Negwegon State Park. 1 BA. “And when I was eight years old, I got a telescope for Christmas. Dark Sky Park: Negwegon State Park Ossineke, MI 49766 There is ample free parking and two porta-johns are located between the parking area and the beach. A Western Michigan University graduate is helping astronomers record what happens when two neutron stars collide. Dr. T.K. Michigan state parks designated as Dark Sky Reserves: Wilderness State Park. Lawless County Park … This park is one of Michigan’s six state-designated dark sky parks as well as being recognized as an international dark sky park. Head to Headlands International Dark Sky Park to stargaze without straying too far from civilization. New legislation designates three areas of state-owned land in Northeast Michigan as dark sky preserves. 2 BR. Six state parks are home to protected Dark Sky Preserves. Dark Sky Preserves. Please try it out and send us feedback! Lake Hudson Recreation Area. Each location provides the very best opportunity for you to truly enjoy the Milky Way, aurora borealis and more. Website: Michigan DNR page. Public radio from Western Michigan University 102.1 NPR News | 89.9 Classical WMUK, The Great Orion Nebula as seen from Lawless Park in Cass County, WMUK's Raine Kuch reports on Michigan's newest "dark sky" park, Saturn and its rings as seen from Lawless Park in Cass County, WMUK's Taylor Pace looks at Michigan's new "Dark Skies" tourism campaign, Michigan Hopes "Dark Skies" Lure Visitors. “We’re primarily a rural county and I think one of the benefits to having a dark sky park is an uptick in tourism which would be good for area businesses,” Parrish says. Lawless Park, nine miles east of Cassopolis on Monkey Run Street, has been the site of the annual spring event of the Michiana Astronomical Society for seven years. Michigan Dept of Natural Resources Dark Sky Events. Historic Sites • Parks. Lawless County Park earned designation last week. Set up camp and then take your red-filtered flashlights, lawn chairs and passion for studying the heavens, and spend a night at the Headlands watching the stars. Texas. Cass County Parks and Recreation Director Scott Wyman says becoming an official dark sky location opens doors for the park. Headlands International Dark Sky Park About Location How to get here The Headlands is located about two miles west of downtown Mackinaw City in northwest lower Michigan. Lawless County Park in southwest Michigan has been designated an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association! Premier Host. Michigan Dark Skies is pleased to present a free, fun, family activity for kids in grades 2-6:  the MIDS KIDS Light Shielding Activity. Local amateur astronomer Robert Parrish was an essential part of that. The state’s tourism agency, Pure Michigan, has started a “Dark Skies” campaign to draw more visitors highlighting several sites in Michigan where the night sky really is dark. (This map is not geo-referenced) Trail Details. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park has been a designated International Dark Sky Park since 2011, and the observatory and event center at the park have been open since 2017. Another park with pristine night skies is in the Texas Panhandle Plains. Michigan is now home to not one, but two dark sky parks. Although the park itself is tiny, its position above a gooseneck in … Mackinaw City (map loads here) view map. 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