These 12 Michigan counties are getting funds to spruce up parks, playscapes

About $8 million in federal funding announced this week through the Land and Water Conservation Fund is set to support 15 community recreation projects across Michigan.

MICHIGAN—The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) this week announced 15 federally funded parks projects that are set to bolster outdoor recreation across Michigan. 

A combined total of $8 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants announced on Tuesday are set to help enable the upgrades and renovations across 12 different counties—which include new playscape features for kids, scenic observation decks, trails and restroom facilities improvements, upgrades to help make boating more accessible, and more.

The 15 projects set to receive the funding are located in Berrien, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gogebic, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. 

Under federal law, the funds were only available to states for land acquisition and the development of outdoor recreation facilities. In deciding how to allocate the cash, the DNR reportedly considers ways to give people better, broader access to “quality public recreation.”

Here’s a quick overview of the planned improvement projects:

• Boating Access Redevelopment at Barnik Boating in Monroe County — $2 Million 
• Two Trail Improvement Projects in Ottawa County — $1.1 Million
• Playscape Park Renovations in Saginaw Township — $500,000
• New Splash Pad at Kennedy Park in Eastpointe — $500,000
• North Marina Bathhouse Upgrades at Lake St. Clair Metropark — $500,000
• Renovations at Creasey Bicentennial Park in Grand Blanc Township — $500,000
• Outdoor Ice Arena Improvements at Buhr Park in Ann Arbor — $500,000
• Restrooms and walkways at Ford Field Park West in Northville — $500,000
• Restroom and Parking Upgrades at Park Township Community Park — $500,000
• Ice Making Plant for Pat O’Connell Civil Center Ice Arena in Ironwood — $375,000
• Kohn Park Development Project in Chikaming Township — $328,000
• Observation Platform for the Grand River in Grand Ledge — $321,000
• Improvements to Victor Township Park in Clinton County — $279,000
• Replacement Inline Skating Rink in Ferndale — $100,000

The DNR’s latest funding recommendations must still be approved by the National Park Service.

Application materials for the next round of Land and Water Conservation Fund grants will be posted at michigan.gov/lwcfgrants, with applications for next year’s cycle due on April 1.

In related news…

Another $1.9 million in state grants announced this week through the Recreation Passport program will also support local public recreation projects across 14 Michigan communities.

That state funding will reportedly cover a wide range of projects—including improvements to the Big Traverse Bay boating access site in Houghton County’s Schoolcraft Township; the Tate Park River Raisin Pathway Loop in the village of Clinton in Lenawee County; as well as the Springfield Schools Memorial Park playground in the city of Springfield in Calhoun County.

The state’s Recreation Passport program is a $14 annual pass that grants visitors access to state parks, recreation areas, and campgrounds, as well as hundreds of historic sites, boat launches, and trails. It launched in 2010 with the goal of boosting visitation and funding for Michigan parks and has since generated more than $20 million in funding for its parks.

“The Recreation Passport is a tremendous value,” DNR Director Scott Bowen said in a statement. “All this adds up to a great program that produces numerous value-added benefits.”

Applications for the next round of Recreation Passport grants will also be due April 1. Learn more about the program and application materials at michigan.gov/dnrgrants.

READ MORE: Got an idea for Michigan’s great outdoors? State funding is up for grabs.

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