Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo Visitors of the U.P. State Fair fish at the U.P.-shaped pond in the Pocket Park. The Michigan DNR manages the park that offers youngsters the opportunity to experience the outdoors close to home by learning how to fish, shoot a pellet gun and practice archery. The park is open during the summer, with special hours and more activities during the Upper Peninsula State Fair.

ESCANABA — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Pocket Park is a recreational oasis within the Escanaba city limits.

The Pocket Park, located within the U.P. State Fairgrounds, offers youngsters and visitors alike the opportunity to experience the outdoors close to home by learning how to fish, shoot a pellet gun and practice archery all summer long.

Jo Ann Alexander, of the DNR, coordinates activities at the Pocket Park, including during the U.P. State Fair.

“The Pocket Park is free to use,” she said.

Pocket Park hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, noon to 8 p.m. The park is also available to be reserved for family gatherings, picnics, youth organizations, school groups, sports associations, scouting camp-outs, public events and weddings. During fair week, it is open strictly for fair-goers.

The park provides opportunities for catch and release fishing — the pond is stocked with 2,000 bluegill — and target practice with either a pellet gun or bow and arrow. Various local and area sportsman groups volunteer to help out at the park throughout the summer.

Alexander said the park provides all of the necessary equipment. Visitors are asked to bring their own bait.

“So we provide all the fishing poles, we provide the archery equipment, and we provide the pellet guns with pellets and the target and the safety glasses. We just ask people bring their own bait — during the fair, we provide the bait,” she said.

Although there are no exact numbers, Alexander said the park has seen a huge increase in activity this summer with people coming and utilizing the space not just casually, but as a reserved space for events.

She explained she began really promoting the park this year after coming to the conclusion most people think the park is only open during the U.P. State Fair, when in actuality it’s open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The Pocket Park may be open throughout the summer, but the busiest time is when it is open to the thousands of visitors of the U.P. State Fair during the week of Aug. 12 through 18. The Pocket Park’s hours change during the fair. Monday, Aug. 12, the park is open 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, Aug. 13-17, the park is open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 18, the park is open noon to 3 p.m.

The final preparations geared towards the U.P. State Fair are underway.

Alexander co-coordinates the Pocket Park during fair week with Kristi Dahlstrom.

“Jo Ann and I have been doing this for the last three years,” Dahlstrom said.

She added the preparation for the fair begins right after the last fair concludes.

“After the fair (is) over we start with a list of things we can do to improve and whatnot,” Dahlstrom said. “Then we start pretty much in January, February working on our plan, what new things we’d like to add, (and) what things we’d like to bring back.”

During the fair, there is a suggestion box at the Pocket Park to provide insight to the coordinators.

“So if anybody has ideas or suggestions to make for fair week better or to improve their experience,” Alexander said. “So then after fair week is over with we go through all those suggestions.”

During the fair, the Pocket Park offers a wide range of wildlife displays and information on hunting and fishing, conservation law, wildfire prevention and other learning activities.

Of course, the park will have its fishing pond, pellet gun range and archery range open, but other activities visitors can enjoy during fair week are the the fire tower, a laser shot demo trailer and seeing Smokey Bear.

There will also be education booths set up around the park throughout the week.

Dahlstrom said some of the different booths represent Girl Scouts, Wheeling Sportsmen, mammal discovery, a fire prevention display, taxidermists with demonstrations, and more.

She explained the booths won’t be there all week long, but will be set up throughout the week for people to enjoy.

While kids visit the park during fair week, they can participate in an interactive game called the DNR Pocket Park Kids Challenge.

When kids embark into the park, they are presented the activity sheet with a set of questions they’re challenged to find answers to by time they leave the park. Kids can hand in the completed sheet to the greeter of the park to receive a prize.

Dahlstrom said the challenge helps kids actively learn about the park and explore the park. She added kids can ask staff, wearing DNR shirts, for help along the way.

Alexander and Dahlstrom both agreed volunteers are necessary to staff the park to keep all of the attractions open.

Activities volunteers assist with helping kids catch and release bluegills, shoot pellet guns or bow and arrows, staff the fire tower or greet visitors.

Dahlstrom said the days are broken into four hour shifts. To fill all of the available slots, they need around 200 volunteers for the fair week.

She added there is no experience necessary as an orientation and training are provided to all volunteers. A meal, t-shirt and small gift are also provided.

“We do a lot for the volunteers to keep them happy and comfortable and try to make their experience … very rewarding. You know, we consider it mentoring kids in natural resource outdoor recreational activities,” Dahlstrom said.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and pass a background check. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Kristi Dahlstrom at 906-226-1331 or dahlstromk@michigan.gov or Jo Ann Alexander at 906-786-2351 or alexanderj7@michigan.gov.