LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s outdoor recreation system — including public lands and waters, playgrounds and bike paths, and much more — provides critically important social, health, economic and environmental benefits.

Over the past several months, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been compiling information about the state’s integrated system of federal, state and local recreation assets.

The DNR is seeking input on its draft 2023-2027 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP.

A comment period is open through Thursday.

The DNR’s SCORP is:

— A broad, flexible, five-year strategic plan designed to evaluate ongoing and emerging outdoor recreation trends, needs and issues, and to establish priorities for achieving outdoor recreation goals.

— An ongoing framework and action plan for state and local recreation partners to guide their outdoor recreation management and policy decisions.

— Required to access certain federal grants; it shapes investment by the state of Michigan and local communities in priority outdoor recreation infrastructure, land acquisition and programming.

Among the plan’s activities, a statewide survey was conducted in coordination with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and other partners.

To review the plan, go to the DNR’s website at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/prd?utm_campaign=scorp+comment+draft&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery.

Send comments or suggestions to DNR-SCORP@Michigan.gov no later than Thursday.

Public input on the draft will be incorporated, as appropriate, in development of the final plan, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service by Dec. 31.

Early next year, the plan will be put into effect for the next five years, guiding actions of numerous entities seeking to improve outdoor recreation opportunities for everyone across the state of Michigan.