SR 33 — A resolution to commemorate Ronald Olson upon his retirement from his role as the Chief of Parks and Recreation at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

SR-33,MICHIGAN As Adopted by Senate, April 23, 2025 SENATE RESOLUTIONSenate NO.Resolution No.

33 Offered by Senators Cherry, Geiss, McMorrow and Moss offeredA RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE RONALD OLSON UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM HIS ROLE AS THE CHIEF OF PARKS AND RECREATION AT THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) WHEREAS,RonaldOlsonhasmadeoutstandingcontributionsandshownunwavering dedication to the followingstate, resolution:serving as a model to which we all should aspire;

Aand resolutionWHEREAS, toHe commemoratededicated Ronaldtwo Olsondecades uponof his retirementcareer fromto histhe roleDNR, asplaying thea Chiefpivotal ofrole Parksin andenhancing RecreationMichigan’s atstate theparks, Michiganrecreation Departmentsystem, ofand Naturaltrail Resourcesdevelopment. (DNR).

Whereas,His Ronaldrelentless Olsonefforts hasled madeto outstandingthe contributionsdevelopment and shownimplementation unwaveringof dedicationpolicies toand theprograms state,that servingpropelled asMichigan’s aparks model to whichnational weacclaim; all should aspire;

and Whereas,WHEREAS, HeUnder dedicatedhis twoleadership, decadesinitiatives offocused hison careerconservation, topublic theengage­ DNR,ment, playingand ainfrastructure pivotalimprovements rolequickly intransformed enhancingthe Michigan’sstate’s statenatural parks,spaces, recreationestablishing system,them andas trailsome development.of the best in the country;

Hisand relentlessWHEREAS, effortsRonald ledOlson tohas thebeen developmentcrucial andin implementationexpanding ofMichigan’s policiesstate and programs that propelled Michigan's parks toand nationalforging acclaim;strong partnerships.

His notable achievements include the development of Flint State Park with the Mott Foundation and Whereas,the UnderMenominee hisRiver leadership,State initiativesRecreation focusedArea, onWisconsin’sfirstcollaborative conservation,park publicmanagement engagement,effort.He also oversaw the management and infrastructurerevitalization improvementsof RonaldBelle OlsonIsle Retirement_SR33_AA_1Park meh52iand 1played quicklya transformedkey role in the state’sIron naturalBelle spaces,Trail, establishingwhich themincludes ashiking someand ofbiking routes that expand from Detroit to the bestwestern intip of the country;Upper Peninsula;

and Whereas,WHEREAS, RonaldHe Olsonis hasrecognized beenwith crucialmultiple inawards expandingthroughout Michigan'shis statecareer parkswith andthe forgingDNR, strongincluding partnerships.the Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association.

His notable achievements include the development of Flint State Park with the Mott Foundation and the Menominee River State Recreation Area, Wisconsin's first collaborative park management effort.

He also oversaw the management and revitalization of Belle Isle Park and played a key role in the Iron Belle Trail, which includes hiking and biking routes that expand from Detroit to the western tip of the Upper Peninsula;

and Whereas, He is recognized with multiple awards throughout his career with the DNR, including the Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association.

now, therefore, be it ResolvedRESOLVED byBY theTHE Senate,SENATE, That the members of this legislative body commemoratecom­ memorate Ronald Olson upon his retirement from his role as the Chief of Parks and Recreation at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

May we honor Ronald Olson for his exceptional service and contributions to the state as well as his well-deservedwell­deserved retirement.

RonaldAdopted Olsonby Retirement_SR33_AA_1the meh52iSenate, April 23, 2025.

Secretary of the Senate