Friends of P.H.Hoeft State Park making a difference
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
P.H. Hoeft State Park has friends it would not want to go on without. They could use a few new ones, too.
Sure, there are multitudes of camping fans from Michigan and the Midwest that love the place, but there is only one fan club. They are the Friends of Hoeft State Park. It is a local group dedicated to promoting recreation and activities at one of the state’s original parks.
Established in June 2007, charter members took on the task of updating the playground equipment, some of which had been in place since U.S. President Calvin Coolidge was in the White House back in the 1920s.
It took several years, but they raised the necessary dollars and purchased equipment that is very suitable to the natural wonderland. The largest climbing piece is topped by plastic pine trees with leaf-shaped steps. There also is sand digging equipment and a jungle gym. And it is all laid out on a soft surface mandated by the Department of Natural Resources.
The Friends group also filled a major void; they opened a new store at site No. 1 which is shared with the campground host. The store is a tent with many different products. They are selling convenience items for campers who forget a thing or two. Plus, they are selling sweatshirts, caps and T-shirts with the park logo on them. Proceeds are being used to fund their various endeavors. Additional monies are raised from memberships and donations.
The annual summer raffle is underway and features a free weekend at the Sears lodge along with other prizes. The final drawing takes place during Fall Harvest Fest in October.
“The good thing is, because we are an independent group, we can pinpoint where the money goes, as opposed to the money going into a DNR (Department of Natural Resources) fund,” said Friends’ president Arlene Waggoner. “That’s the advantage of our ‘Friends’ group. Monies raised here stay here.”
To continue their early successes, the Hoeft friends find themselves in search of more friends – even if only for a few hours.
“We are not sure how many people in Rogers City, or in this area, are aware of the ‘Friends’ group,” said Waggoner “We certainly would like to get our name and goal out there, which is to make this a much more user friendly park by raising funds to purchase new items.”
Next on the wish list of projects is a basketball half-court-sized multi-use pad for the day-use area. This could be used for a n
“People are great in supporting us with monetary donations – the businesses have been fantastic, but we need help with volunteer time,” said Friends’ treasurer Ellen Nordin.
That could mean two to three hours a week, at the store, “We need people to help,” said Waggoner. “If they come out, we will give them a safety-orange volunteer shirt, free.”
Currently, there are six to seven Friends’ members volunteering time to fill the store schedule.
There is an invaluable perk – being part of park life and meeting many new people.
“I met a family from Omaha, Nebraska, who found us when the granddaughter found Hoeft State park online,” said Waggoner. “Their last name is Hoeft, and they think they are related