It’s shaping up to be a big summer at Brunet Island

As spring has arrived, Friends of Brunet Island State Park are gearing up for summer activities. Plans are underway to observe the park’s 85th anniversary and to sponsor additional park events.

A celebration honoring the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the state park program and Brunet Island’s 85th anniversary, will be held Sunday, June 8. This gathering has been scheduled for the annual free weekend, when visits to the park are allowed without an admission sticker.

To mark these milestones, the friends group for the park will host the public to an afternoon of hikes, historical information, prizes and refreshments. Guests will also have the opportunity to construct walking sticks.

Community members and visitors are invited. Any volunteer, who wishes to help out with the celebration, is welcome and can obtain information from Zach Thon, park manager at Brunet Island.

Additional plans for the friends group this year, include rehabbing the southeast fire pit, assisting with the establishment of a pollinator garden and adding tree identification signs along trails. The kayak dock placed late last summer will be in full use this year, as well.

Hikes and presentations scheduled by the friends group for the summer, are raptors, Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.; birds, Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m.; anniversaries hike, Sunday, June 8, 2 p.m.; bats, Saturday, June 14, 8:30 p.m.; bird hike, Monday, July 7, 8 a.m.; snakes, Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.; and dutch oven cooking Sunday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m.

These events will be presented by Beaver Creek Reserve and Brunet Island State Park Friends. Additional presentations may be added.