Capitol News

Ron Olson, former chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division, has received national recognition for his work in parks and conservation. Olson was awarded the Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal at the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration's annual awards dinner in Orlando, Florida.

The Pugsley Medal honors individuals who have made significant contributions to public parks and conservation efforts across the United States. The award was first given in 1928.

Pugsley Committee Chair Elizabeth S. Kessler presented Olson with the medal, stating, “We are proud to honor Ron as a visionary leader and steadfast advocate for parks, open spaces and conservation. His lifelong dedication and achievements have left a lasting impact throughout Michigan. The Academy is proud to join with the National Park Foundation and Davey Tree to recognize his remarkable leadership and contributions with this distinguished honor.”

Olson spent much of his career managing park systems in Maryland and Michigan, serving as chief of Michigan’s Parks and Recreation Division for two decades. During his tenure, he led several initiatives:

- He guided the implementation of the Recreation Passport program, replacing vehicle window stickers for state park entry with a new system that offered cost savings to visitors while generating more stable operating revenue.

- Olson reimagined Michigan’s 140 state forest campgrounds and trails system, expanding capacity to accommodate increased visitation from 28 million to 36 million visits over a short period.

- He helped secure $270 million in federal American Recovery Funds—the largest investment in Michigan’s state parks system’s history—to modernize facilities statewide.

- Under his leadership, Michigan’s state park system grew from 97 to 104 parks, including new facilities like Detroit’s Outdoor Adventure Center and new parks in Detroit and Flint.

Reflecting on the honor, Olson said: "I am humbled to receive this great honor, standing on the shoulders of the many iconic, visionary parks and recreation professionals who have been recognized over the past years. Thanks to my family, the DNR's great staff and teams, and the numerous partners and fellow parks and recreation professionals and officials who believed in me and made our agencies better."

DNR Director Scott Bowen also commented on Olson's recognition: “When you look at all that Ron and his staff have accomplished, you see an unflagging commitment to delivering quality visitor experiences and finding new, creative ways to protect the natural and historical resources that so often are a key part of those experiences. Ron built a career rooted in a love of the outdoors and an ability to see beyond limits, and Michigan's parks and recreation legacy is the better for it.”

More information about Michigan state parks is available online. Details about the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration can be found at AAPRA.org.