Editing Mission Point Light (section)

==Current status and activities==
The lighthouse is located in Old Mission State Park, which is managed by [[Peninsula Township, Michigan|Peninsula Township]] as Lighthouse Park,  at the northern end of [[M-37 (Michigan highway)|M-37]].<ref>[http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m/37/ M-37 Endpoint Photos.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529161439/http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m/37/ |date=2013-05-29 }}</ref> Visitors to the park enjoy the beach, hiking trails and picnic areas. The lighthouse and park are managed by the Lighthouse Manager employed by Peninsula Township.The park welcomes about 100,000 visitors annually from every state and dozens of foreign countries.

As reported in the Traverse City Record Eagle, in a unique program, the lighthouse society sought volunteers to work and live in the Mission Point Light during 2008. There is a fee, which benefits the light.<ref>[http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8163523&nav=menu44_2 Lighthouse directory, Mission Point volunteer story.]{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2008, the building opened for the first time to the public (it has a small museum),<ref>[http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8163523&nav=menu44_2 Wood TV 8, Lighthouse to open to public, caretakers wanted.]{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> after serving for many years as the park manager's residence.<ref name="unc.edu"/> Today, the lighthouse has a very popular and unique keeper program. The weekly keepers run the gift shop from May through October and get to stay in the updated lighthouse keepers quarters. See details about the keeper program at the website www.missionpointlighthouse.com. The nonprofit Mission Point Lighthouse Keepers Association (MPLKA) helps with funding special projects and supplying volunteers. See the website www.mplka.com

The area around the lighthouse attracts many [[cross country skiing|cross country skiers.]] The location is becoming increasingly popular, which has subjected it to environmental issues that are being addressed by Peninsula Township.<ref name="Penninsula">{{Cite web |url=http://www.peninsulatownship.com/parks/index.php |title=Peninsula Township Parks. |access-date=2008-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509132204/http://www.peninsulatownship.com/parks/index.php |archive-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Old Mission Peninsula]] is said to be a premier place to sea kayak.<ref name="Penninsula"/> One gets close to shore, lighthouse, picnic grounds and parks. The bay offers a shelter from the prevailing westerly winds and from the Lake Michigan waves. Maps, rentals and guided tours are available.<ref>[http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=CGM024-024 Sea kayaking] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729081555/http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=CGM024-024 |date=2012-07-29 }}</ref>

Because of its form, surroundings and location, it is photogenic, having inspired photographs and illustrations, including drawings<ref>[http://home.rochester.rr.com/mjm/light2.html Mulgrew, Marilyn, Drawing of Mission Point Light.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828141318/http://home.rochester.rr.com/mjm/light2.html |date=2007-08-28 }}</ref> and needlepoint.<ref>[https://www.dataleap.com/secure/pin/orderpage.htm Needlepoint of Mission Point Light.]{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The shoal at Mission Point is very shallow and the water is enjoyed by families and dog owners. Mission Point is visited by about 100,000 people annually. See the website for more information -   www.missionpointlighthouse.com