Community Partner Program Announced

Date: February 27, 2006
Contact: Jim Northup, 906-387-2607
Contact: Gregg Bruff, 906-387-2607

Supt. Northup with Nancy from the Falling Rock Cafe'

NPS photo by Gregg Bruff

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Superintendent Jim Northup announced a new Community Partner Program for the park.

In announcing the program, Northup explained, “With over 425,000 people coming every year to enjoy America’s first national lakeshore, we recognize that there are many businesses and organizations in our gateway communities that are instrumental in providing knowledge and information about the park to visitors.”

“While we encourage all park visitors to visit our website in advance of our visit, to visit the Interagency Visitor Center in Munising, or talk to our staff at our three other Visitor Centers or in the field, we also recognize that many visitors get their information from a wide variety of local sources. We want to work more closely with, provide better information to, and acknowledge the efforts of these partner locations,” Northup added.

In the coming weeks, park staff will visit with many local motels, restaurants and other business locations in communities adjacent to the park to discuss the Community Partner Program. Business locations interested in participating will be provided a comprehensive reference package of information about the park, and a counter-top display and window-display placard identifying that location as a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Community Partner.

“Through this program we believe that we can do an even better job of making visitors aware of all the wonderful things there are to do and see in the national lakeshore and the area,” Northup said, “and strengthen our communications and relationships with our neighbors.”

For more information about the Community Partner Program, please contact Northup or Gregg Bruff, Chief of Heritage Education, at 387-2607.