Newport State Park Named International Dark Sky Park

The Milky Way as seen from Newport State Park in Ellison Bay, Door County in June, 2017. Photo by Jacob Dannhausen-Brun.

Newport State Park, Wisconsin’s only wilderness state park, is now the first state park in Wisconsin designated an International Dark Sky Park. Newport is one of just 48 parks in the world to earn the designation.

Newport has a dark sky that offers excellent nighttime viewing with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. As a designated wilderness park, the 2,373-acre park offers only backpack camping and has minimal developments beyond the park office, picnic area and trails.

Based in Tucson, Ariz., the International Dark-Sky Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that is dedicated to protecting the night skies for present and future generations. The association advocates for the protection of the night sky, educates the public and policymakers about night sky conservation, promotes environmentally responsible outdoor lighting and empowers the public with the tools and resources to help bring back the night.

The idea for applying for the designation began four years ago when the late Ray Stonecipher, a Door County amateur astronomer, proposed it to park superintendent Michelle Hefty. The park also received assistance from supporting partners including the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society and the Newport Wilderness Society.

The Dark-Sky Association program guidelines outline specifics for Dark Sky Park designation, including sky meter readings from 14 locations with the park, conducting astronomy education programs and developing a light management plan.

The association board unanimously approved Newport State Park as an International Dark Sky Park April 27, joining the ranks of Big Ben, Glacier and Grand Canyon national parks. Only 13 other state parks in the United States have received the designation.

“In a modern world that is accompanied by ever-increasing levels of nighttime illumination, a truly dark sky at night is rare and unique,” Hefty said.

“From lighting projects to community education and outreach, our commitment to protect our dark sky is a priority we take seriously,” said Beth Bartoli, Newport State Park naturalist who helps conduct astronomy programs at the park. “We never tire of seeing that ‘aha’ moment on the upturned faces of our visitors as they gaze toward the heavens.”

The park will host a dedication ceremony Thursday, June 22, when an official International Dark Sky Park sign will be placed in the park. The ceremony will feature talks by members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society and Newport Wilderness Society as well as state and local officials. The ceremony will begin at 1 pm at the park shelter and is open to the public with light refreshments served afterword.

“The prestigious Dark Sky Park designation opens the park to local, regional, national and international astronomical clubs and societies, increasing tourism, especially ecotourism. Obtaining this honor will accord national and international recognition to Newport State Park and the Wisconsin State Park System,” said Ben Bergey, Wisconsin State Park System director.

More information on International Dark Sky Parks darksky.org/idsp/parks/ can be found on the International Dark Sky Association website darksky.org.