Newport and Rock Island State Parks Receive Gold Seal Awards

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) have announced the winners of the 2017 Gold Seal Awards. Wisconsin residents cast their votes for various categories. Michelle Hefty, park manager for both Newport and Rock Island State Parks, has announced that both parks will receive Gold Seal awards at the FWSP banquet on Nov. 5 in Stevens Point.

Newport was awarded “Best Backpack Campsite” and Rock Island received the “Best Remote State Park” award.

In addition, a photo taken at Newport State Park was selected from 375 entries for the inside cover of the FWSP 2017 calendar. Photographer Denny Moutray, a seasonal resident of Gills Rock, entered his photo, “Southern Sky Over Newport,” which depicts the Milky Way in the dark skies over the park. This honor is timely, as Newport State Park is on the final stretch of receiving International Dark Sky Park designation. The winning photo can be viewed at the park office.