Emmet County Dark Sky Park Receives State Award

Another Northern Michigan gem is being recognized on the state level.

The Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County has been awarded with an Innovative Recreation Programming Award from the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association.

The association says the park protects Michigan’s resources, and serves as an economic driver for the area, bringing in people from around the world.

The award also recognizes the Headlands for their approach to teaching people about the night sky in a way they can understand, and not through scientific speak.

“So at the Headlands we start with the humanities, we start with the stories and legends and astrology and those sorts of things, and then show how that gave birth to astronomy to science, and its obviously resonates with people worldwide ,” says Dark Sky Coast Association Founder Tom Bailey.

Right now, the director of the Dark Sky Park is in Switzerland presenting to a group of international astronomers programs at the Headlands.