Mackinac Island State Park Commission

Background

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission was created by the Michigan legislature on May 31, 1895. The commission’s purpose was to administer Michigan’s first state park; which had previously been Mackinac National Park, the United States’ second national park, from 1875 to1895. The commission’s jurisdiction was extended in 1909 to Michilimackinac State Park in Mackinaw City, Michigan’s second state park. Over 80 percent of Mackinac Island is now included within the boundaries of Mackinac Island State Park, which also contains Fort Mackinac historic site. Colonial Michilimackinac and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse are located within Michilimackinac State Park. In 1983 the commission also opened Historic Mill Creek State Park, east of Mackinaw City. The historic sites and parks are together known as Mackinac State Historic Parks. Annual visitation to all these parks and museums is nearly 1,000,000. Mackinac State Historic Parks has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972.

The Executive Reorganization Act of 1965 changed the Mackinac Island State Park Commission from a completely independent state agency by a Type I Transfer to the Department of Natural Resources. In 2001 the commission was transferred to a Type I Transfer to the new Department of History, Arts and Libraries. In 2009, with the dissolution of the department, the commission was transferred by a Type I Transfer to the Department of Natural Resources (then to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in 2010 and back to the Department of Natural Resources in 2011, both by Type I Transfers). As a State of Michigan Type I agency the Mackinac Island State Park Commission retains and exercises its authority and responsibility for developing the mission, goals, policies, objectives and direction for the unique properties under its jurisdiction.

There are seven commissioner appointed by the Governor of Michigan with consent by the Senate. One commissioner must be a legal resident of Mackinac Island and one a resident of Mackinaw City. Commissioners serve terms of six years. Not more than four commissioners may be from the same political party. Commissioners are not paid, but are reimbursed for expenses.