Algonac State Park's Management Plan and adopted by the Citizens Committee for State Parks on May 12, 2005, and  signed by DNR Director Rebecca Humphries on June 6, 2005

Executive Summary
Long-range planning for Algonac State Park began in June 2003 as one of four parks statewide where a new planning philosophy was implemented. "Management Planning," a comprehensive, resource based process, is Parks and Recreation Division's (PRD) adaptation of National Park Service planning methodology. In our iteration of this process, we focus our attention on the four principles of the PRD mission statement. To that end, we thoroughly inventories the (1)natural resource value of the park; establish its (2)historic/cultural resources; identify the (3)recreational opportunities; and develop the (4)educational and interpretation opportunities of the park.

With this base of knowledge and with input of the "Planning Team" (made up of department resource staff, stakeholders and public), we established an "identity" for the park. The key significance of Algonac SP is two-fold:

First, "Algonac State Park protects globally significant lakeplain prairie and lakeplain oak openings, among the rarest and most unique natural communities in Michigan. At least 22 endangered, threatened, or special concern plan and animal species live within Algonac State Park" (Palmgren, 2002).

Second is its recreational importance for the magnificent viewing opportunities of Great Lakes shipping activity on the St. Clair River. This was one of the principle reasons for the establishment of Algonac State Park in 1937.

In concert with this analysis of the park, the Planning Team also established the appropriate Management Zones and their extent of influence on the park. From a pallet of nine standard zones, we utilized six for Algonac State Park. The Management Zone Plan is found on Page 16, and a thorough review of all zones accompanies that graphic. A condensed review of the zones applied at Algonac State Park is as follows:

• Primitive Zone - of the total 1,408 acres in the park, 1,170 acres of undeveloped land fall in this zone description, and represent the primary target for lakeplain prairie ecosystem restoration efforts.
• Ecologically Sensitive Zone - exists as a sub-set of the Primitive Zone. Totaling approximately 90 acres, this seasonal designation protects two active heron rookeries. It will be closed during the non-hunting season at Algonac State Park. (April 1-September 15).
• Natural Resource Recreation Zone - this 67 acre zone incorporates all of the modern campgrounds, day-use areas and archery and trap ranges.
• Scenic Zone - recognizes the viewing opportunities of the St. Clair River from the shoreline frontage of the park. The acreage of this zone totals approximately twelve (12) acres of the park.
• Visitor Services Zone - takes in the headquarters and shop area of the park, and totals just over four acres of land. 

The Primitive Zone is of the greatest influence with 1,170 acres comprising 83 percent of the park. This zone encompasses the lakeplain ecosystem, with seven NRC designated areas and the proposed Natural Area designation under law of 370 acres. The zone is highly influenced by the hydrology of the area -- a critical component of this unique ecosystem. As such, it is subject to fluctuating water levels, which can and do impact or inundate significant portions of the zone over time. The sensitivity of this ecosystem is such that the limitations of the Primitive Zone are needed to protect existing lakeplain remnants and the ongoing restoration efforts. It is recommended to expand the legal Natural Area designation to encompass this entire zone. This would provide enforceable status to the use limitations that are needed. In this zone there is only limited trail development, with no mechanized or equestrian uses allowed.

This same ecosystem extends beyond the historic boundaries of the park. As properties are acquired within the new boundaries (and/or expansion of boundaries), the Primitive Zone will expand to incorporate them, and at some point, expansion of the Natural Area designation will follow.

Algonac Final Management Plan (Complete document-13,268KB-PDF)

Table of Contents (128 KB)
Section I: Executive Summary and Introduction (65 KB)
Section II: Core Values (761 KB)
Section III: General Management Plan (1,268 KB)
Section IV: Supporting Analysis (687 KB)

Phase Two: Draft Plan (877 KB)

Appendix Materials and printed copies of the report may be requested from:

Paul N. Curtis, Management Plan Administrator
Parks and Recreation Division
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30257
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7757
curtisp@michigan.gov.