Harrisville State Park
Beachfront along Lake Huron
Map showing the location of Harrisville State Park
Map showing the location of Harrisville State Park
Location in Michigan
Map showing the location of Harrisville State Park
Map showing the location of Harrisville State Park
Harrisville State Park (the United States)
LocationHarrisville / Harrisville Township
Alcona County, Michigan
Coordinates44°38′58″N 83°17′35″W / 44.64944°N 83.29306°W / 44.64944; -83.29306 [2]
Area107 acres (43 ha)
Elevation587 feet (179 m) [2]
DesignationMichigan state park
Established1920[3]
Visitors151,273 (in 1996)[4]
AdministratorMichigan Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteHarrisville State Park

Harrisville State Park is a public recreation area covering 107 acres (43 ha) on the shore of Lake Huron off U.S. Route 23 in Harrisville and Harrisville Township, Alcona County, Michigan.[5] The state park contains more than 100 acres of heavily forested land as well as a mile-long sandy beach.[6] It is considered an important location for birders, with large and varied migratory populations of warblers and other song birds.[7] The park is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.[5]

History

Harrisville State Park was among 13 parks established in 1920 following the creation of the Michigan State Parks Commission a year earlier.[8] It originally covered only six acres (2.4 ha).[9] The park's Cedar Run Nature Trail was cut through the forested areas of the park as early as 1945.[10]

Wildlife

Harrisville State Park offers outstanding birding opportunities in May when numerous warbler species may be seen. Other species include nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens, thrushes, vireos, and sparrows.[7]

Activities and amenities

The park features a swimming beach, bathhouse, picnic areas, sports fields, carry-in boat launch, 195 campground sites, cabin, and mini-cabins.[5] The 2-mile (3.2 km) Cedar Run Nature Trail crosses forested areas of the park.[6] A section of beach north of the campers area is pet friendly.[5]

The park offers bike rentals, in coordination with the opening of the Alcona Heritage Route Multi-use Trail. The trail is a three-quarter mile paved, multi-use trail out of the park that connects to the trail to Harrisville.[5][11]

References

  1. ↑ "Harrisville State Park". Protected Planet. IUCN. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Harrisville State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ↑ "When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  4. ↑ Spencer DM, Kim DK, Alexander PJ (1998). "Alcona County Tourism Profile" (PDF). Travel, Resource, and Recreation Center of Michigan State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 30, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Harrisville State Park". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Harrisville-Cedar Run Nature Trail". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Alcona County Birding Locations". Birds-n-Such. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Michigan DNR celebrates 100 years of state parks" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. pp. 10–11. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Annual Report". American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. 1921. p. 147. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Harrisville State Park". Wildernet. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  11. ↑ Alcona Review, June 28, 2010.
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