Grayling Recreation Authority

Hanson Hills Recreation Area

 

 

Program/ Event Registrations

2008 Running Races

 Archery

Walk 100 Miles

Youth Garden Club

Kids Golf

Men's Softball Schedule

Horseshoe League

Kids Day Camp

Kids Flag Football

Fall Cheerleading

Nordic Ski Team

GMS Ski Team

Grayling Chamber Junior Ambassadors Club

 

Brochures

Newsletter

 Winter Brochure

Fish Hatchery

Michigan Bike Festival

MMBA Membership

 

Maps

Nordic Ski Trail Map

Mt. Bike Trail Map

Topographical Map of Hanson Hills Rec Area

 

Community Links

Michigan Bike Festival

Grayling Visitors Bureau

Grayling Chamber of Commerce

 

Employment

Application Form

 

Contact Us

1-888-876-2196

P.O. Box 361

Grayling, MI 49738

hansonhills@hotmail.com

2008 Spring/Summer Schedule of Events

April, 2008

AuSable Cycling Club Spring Riding Schedule

April 26-27, 2008

Northern Chapter Michigan Mountain Bike Association Trail School  (9:00am-4:00pm) www.mmba.org

May 1, 2008

Youth Archery Begins

6pm-8pm

May 1, 2008

Walk 100 miles Club

May 3, 2008

Top of the Hill 5K

2008 RESULTS

May 10, 2008

Grayling Co-op  Preschool Truck Fair (12-4pm) $3 admission

May 12, 2008

Men's Softball League Begins

June 1, 2008

Hanson Hills Challenge (Mt. Bike Race)  www.funpromotions.com

June 2, 2008

Youth Garden Club Begins

June 7, 2008

Hanson Hills Challenge Trail Run (Race start 9:00am)

Active: Online Registration

June 7, 2008

MMBA Trail Work Day
(National Trails Day)

MEET at the Hanson Hills LODGE
9:00 - 12:00 (build trail)
LUNCH PROVIDED
1:00-4:00 (build trail)
RIDE TRAIL!

June 9-12, 2008

4-H Adventure Day Camp

June 16, 2008

Youth Golf Clinic @ Grayling Country Club

June 27-29, 2008

Michigan Traditional Bowhunters Jamboree

July 7-10, 2008

4-H Adventure Day Camp

July 24, 2008

Business Relays @ Penrods Canoe Livery

July 26, 2008

GRA 10K (Race Start 9:00am)

Active: Online Registration

August 4, 2008

Fall Cheerleading (Grades 9-12)

August 11-14, 2008

4-H Adventure Day Camp

August 16, 2008

Endurance Trail Run 

(Race Start 9:00am)

Active: Online Registration

August 29-31, 2008

Michigan Bike Festival

Active: Online Registration

September 13, 2008

12 & 24 Hours of Hanson Hills (Mt. Bike Race) www.funpromotions.com

News

May 9, 2008: Men's Softball League Schedule.

May 8, 2008: MMBA Schedule Trail Day June 7. 9am-4pm.  Build new Trail Lunch Provided.

May 3, 2008: Top of the Hill 5K: Overall Winners (Male) Nathan Peters 17:17, (Female) Abigail Ertel 22:25.  Complete Results.

May 2, 2008: Crawford County Recreation Survey available for download. (Part of Crawford County Master Recreation Plan) SURVEY

 

Archery

(Click for information)

Mt. Bike Trail Report

April 28, 2008: Trails are in great shape. Trail Crews are working on blowing leaves off of trails. New sign boards will be in place soon. MMBA Trail school, has rerouted two sections of trail, please make sure to get out and "Ride it In"...

 

HANSON HOPPERS PLAYGROUND BRICK FUNDRAISER

(Click Picture for a Donation Form)

 

Our History!!

Hanson Hills has a rich history of activity and controversy. Opened in 1929, it was the first downhill ski area in Michigan and the second to open in the Midwest. The "Snow trains" brought many people to Grayling where they would board flat bed trucks for the ride to what was then called the "Grayling Winter Sports Park". The Michigan Snow Queens were crowned and honored at the annual Winter Carnival, famous for the elaborate ice sculptures built by local people. The old toboggan run was an attraction that thrilled many. Another exciting attraction was the 66 ft. ski jump that was built in 1934.

Hanson Hills was willed to the State of Michigan by Rasmus Hanson for military or recreational use and is still controlled by the State of Michigan's Military Board. It was during the time when the area was called "Bear Mountain" that great growth was seen and the ski resort had 22 slopes for downhill skiing, the "Polyhedron" hotel, the "Little Smokey Railroad", and the "Fred Bear Museum" were all a big part of the excitement at what we now know as "Hanson Hills Recreation Area and Winter Sports Park". When the heirs to the Hanson Estate found private individuals making money on the property they attempted to take the land back. Their reason for the action was that the lease stipulated that the land was to be used only on a non-profit basis. The Bear Mountain Area was ordered "boarded up" in 1973 by Judge Roth. The hotel and lifts were disassembled and sold, the Fred Bear Museum, Little Smokey Railroad, the Pine Knoll Campground, the House of Flavors Ice Cream Store, and Dillons' horseback riding stables all closed also.

Volunteers came forward that winter to try to keep a few hills open for children to downhill ski. It was soon after this that Grayling Recreation Authority was established as a result of a lot of volunteer work. With the cooperation of the Michigan National Guard and the State Military Board, a special law was made to allow the "Authority" to work on a non-profit basis. The Grayling Recreation Authority (GRA) is a government "consortium", made up of representatives from Grayling Township, Crawford County, the Crawford AuSable Schools and three members at large.

In the beginning, the main goal of GRA was to maintain and run the ski operation. Now GRA has added to it's priorities year round sports programs for Youth and Adults, and the operation of the Grayling Fish Hatchery. Year round, quality recreational activities are supported by 1/2 mil of taxes and user fees. GRA keeps prices at a minimum so as to be accessible for as many participants as possible.

For more information about Hanson Hills or to plan a visit please call 989-348-9266 or write to Grayling Recreation Authority, PO Box 361, Grayling, MI 49738. You may also contact us by e-mail at: hansonhills@hotmail.com