ISLAND LAKE - SPRING MILL POND
(F.A.A.C. observing site)
Island Lake State Recreation Area is located near Interstate 96 just east of US 23. Exit I-96 at Kensington Road, exit 151, and go south about 1/2 mile to the park enterance. The observing site is located at Spring Mill Pond within the park. Turn right just after the tool booth. Spring Mill Pond is about 2-1/2 miles from the park enterance.
NOTE: The Island Lake State Recreation Area will require a $4.00 vehicle permit to enter the park, unless you already have an annual Michigan State Park vehicle permit. Also, there is no alcohol allowed in the park.
Spring Mill Pond has plenty of parking and clean modern rest rooms. Bring insect repellent to avoid mosquito problems after dark and plenty of warm clothing if you decide to stay late. It can get pretty cool during the night even though it may have been warm during the day. Bring a flashlight if you wish, but it is appropriate at astronomical gatherings to put a dark red filter over your flashlight lens so as not to interfere with any observer's night vision.
More observing site info:
- Above map in Adobe Acrobat pdf format (for better printing).
- Map of inside Island Lake Park (sorry for the poor quality).
- Picture of the Spring Mill Pond area (more to come).
- Geographical coordinates of the obsrving site.
