Michigan State Park staffing shortages cause concerns ahead of Memorial Day Weekend

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – From the shores of West to East Michigan, to the attractive forested state parks, there’s definitely no scarcity of summer season enjoyable — however there’s a scarcity of those that run the enjoyable.

It’s been a lovely spring and the climate has lots of people planning to spend time in Michigan’s parks. The town and parks are having bother maintaining with demand as a result of they’re coping with main staffing shortages.

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The Michigan Division of Pure Sources says staffing was already declining in 2019. Then final 12 months, the DNR reached 90 p.c of the staffing wanted. However this 12 months, Ron Olson mentioned they’re behind.

“We’re making an attempt to inform individuals you understand, hey you’ve acquired the most effective surroundings for a summer season job that you may have in a state park,” mentioned Olson.

Proper now Olson mentioned the Michigan DNR solely has about 860 spots of 1,300 wanted to maintain their parks working easily.

To make up for the dearth of staffing, the DNR has employed some contractors however that doesn’t clarify why fewer persons are making use of for what was once a fascinating summer season job. Each retirees and highschool college students have utilized much less to work summer season jobs.

“We simply assume that the entire thought of a summer season job for individuals has modified rather a lot prior to now in all probability 5 or 6 years,” mentioned Olson.

Olson attributes that to traits but in addition to pay. Proper now DNR summer season staff make a little bit over $10. There’s at the moment funding in place to lift that pay to $15 per hour. That could possibly be a part of the answer, however the DNR isn’t alone within the subject.

Emily Stevens, with Parks and Recreation of the Metropolis of Lansing, mentioned they’ve lowered their hiring age to 16 in hopes that top schoolers will apply. Till then, they’ve needed to make some adjustments to their summer season camp packages.

The Michigan DNR mentioned staffing shortages gained’t change the standard of tenting journeys. They’ve modified what number of campsites are in use to maintain up with excessive demand with low workers.

“We’re additionally limiting our camps to solely Lansing residents this 12 months for the primary time,” mentioned Stevens.

However proper now each the DNR and Lansing mentioned they want these purposes.

“It has made it laborious and it breaks our hearts as a result of we wish to serve our households and make it possible for there’s a secure place for youths to go,” mentioned Stevens.

When you’re keen on working in our state parks and are 18 and above, you will discover an software right here.

When you’re fascinating in working in Lansing Parks and Recreation and are above the age of 16, you will discover an software right here.

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