The State of Michigan is partnering with the National Park Service (NPS) for a first-of-its-kind partnership to collaborate on implementing safe, innovative technology to increase accessibility and equity in recreational and park settings. Through this partnership, the five national parks located in Michigan will provide an environment to pilot these emerging mobility technologies that will help make national parks across the country safer, more equitable and accessible to residents and visitors alike.

The State of Michigan and the NPS have agreed to the following initiatives:

• • Research innovative mobility projects that have the potential to improve environmental sustainability or visitor access, relieve traffic congestion issues, or improve safety in and around national parks in the State of Michigan, and develop project proposals for implementing them.
  • Explore and identify potential electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects within national and state parks that would enable NPS visitors and staff to have access to charging stations.
  • Plan and execute knowledge and information sharing opportunities to support the advancement of innovative mobility and electrification initiatives related to public lands visitation and tourism.
  • Participate in community engagement efforts to develop plans and proposals for potential innovative mobility or electrification pilot projects.
  • Engage in general knowledge sharing and develop best practices to support the state’s goal of operationalizing the Lake Michigan Circuit to enable accessible and equitable electric vehicle tourism at state and national parks around the Great Lakes.

Michigan is home to five national parks; Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and River Raisin National Battlefield Park. In 2020, 3.2 million park visitors spent an estimated $267 million in local communities, supporting 3,770 jobs and contributing $380 million to the state’s economy while visiting NPS lands in Michigan.

To read the full Memorandum of Understanding, please click here.

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