Sec. 74104.

(1) The department shall establish an “adopt-a-park” program that will allow volunteer groups to assist state park staff in maintaining and enhancing state parks.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), volunteer groups in the adopt-a-park program may adopt any available state park and may choose any 1 or more of the following volunteer activities:

(a) Spring cleanups.

(b) Environmental activities.

(c) Accessibility projects.

(d) Special events.

(e) Park maintenance and development.

(f) Public information and assistance.

(g) Training.

(3) The department shall designate the activities to be performed by a volunteer group in the adopt-a-park program. The department may provide for more than 1 volunteer group to adopt a state park.

(4) A volunteer group that wishes to participate in the adopt-a-park program shall submit an application to the department on a form provided by the department. Additionally, volunteer groups shall agree to the following:

(a) Volunteer groups shall participate in the program for at least a 2-year period.

(b) Volunteer groups shall consist of at least 6 people who are 18 years of age or older, unless the volunteer group is a school or scout organization, in which case the volunteers may be under 18 years of age.

(c) Volunteer groups shall give a total of 400 hours over a 2-year period.

(d) Volunteer groups shall comply with other reasonable requirements of the department.

(5) A state park manager may issue to volunteers who are actively working on adopt-a-park projects that last more than 1 day free camping permits if campsites are available. A state park manager may waive state park entry fees for volunteers entering state parks to work on adopt-a-park projects.

(6) The department shall design and erect near the state park headquarters of each state park in the adopt-a-park program an adopt-a-park program sign with the name of the volunteer group's sponsoring organization listed for each volunteer group that has contributed at least 100 service hours by volunteers.

History: Add. 1995, Act 58, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA