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SLEEPY HOLLOW STATE PARK READY FOR SPRING VISITORS LANSING--As the weather warms each spring, morel mushrooms
start popping up and the bluegills move into their beds in
the shallow waters of Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow State Park
in Laingsburg, and visitors ask about the large orange
floats dotting the lake.
The floats are buoys marking the lanes for crew racing, one
of a broad range of activities available at the park. Two
years ago, Lake Ovid and Sleepy Hollow State Park became the
home of the Michigan State University Women's Crew team. The
best place to view these races is from the beach. Teams tell
the park staff that this is one of the best courses in the
Midwest. On Saturdays when teams are racing, anglers and
pleasure boaters need to honor these marked lanes and avoid
them during the race.
The MSU Women's Crew team will face the University of
Michigan on Saturday, April 6, for a classic conference
match up. The racing starts from the beach at 9 a.m. The Big
10 Women's Crew Race Championship will be held May 3 at the
park. Due to the seriousness of the competition, no other
boats will be allowed on Lake Ovid on this date. Sleepy
Hollow State Park is honored to host the Big 10 Women's Crew
Race Championship. This race brings together teams from all
the Big 10 Universities, and park officials expect up to
2,000 spectators for this event.
Visitors are encouraged to come to the park to see what else
spring has to offer. The "Friends of Sleepy Hollow State
Park" will host their annual Earth Day park cleanup April
20. Those interested in helping should meet at the East
Picnic Shelter at 9 a.m. All participants will be assigned
an area of the park and will be provided with garbage bags,
but are reminded to bring their own gloves. For more
information call (517) 651-6217.
All park trails are open, but many are currently in a muddy
condition. Bicyclists are not allowed on the horse trails
and the equestrians are not allowed on any trails except
designated horse trails.
The campground is being upgraded through the Clean Michigan
Initiative. Construction includes a new sewage lagoon and a
new sewage lift station. Once completed, these two
structures will bring the park's sewage system up to modern
day standards and make the whole system more environmentally
sound.
Construction will impact the campground season dates this
year. The campground opens on April 26 with electricity only
for $13.00 per night. There will be no water and no dumping
station, so campers must bring their own water into the park
and haul their gray and black water out of the park. There
will be no way of disposing of their gray and black water.
The campground will have all services turned-on May 3,
including modern toilet buildings and the dump station. The
cost will rise to $15.00 per night.
Sleepy Hollow is located off the Price Rd. exit, north of
Lansing and south of St. Johns on US 27.
Source: MDNR
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