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DNR News

Dec. 10, 2024

DNR announces support for park upgrades in 12 counties in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced today 15 community recreation facilities projects recommended for a combined $8 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants.

"The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a great asset that brings federal funding through the state to local projects – from splashpads and observation decks to park rest room improvements and boating access site upgrades,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen. “This year alone, the program is allocating a significant investment of $8 million for projects important to communities across Michigan.”

The projects recommended for funding are in Berrien, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gogebic, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. That funding will support outdoor ice arena improvements, a township playscape, an Americans with Disabilities Act accessible outdoor viewing platform, trails, splashpads and much more.

The 2024 Land and Water Conservation Fund recommendations are:

Saginaw Charter Township (Saginaw County) Saginaw Township Playscape Park Renovations $500,000.
City of Eastpointe (Macomb County) Kennedy Park splash pad $500,000.
DNR Parks and Recreation Division (Ottawa County) Idema Explorers Trail Phase I $750,000.
Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority (Macomb County) North Marina Bathhouse at Lake St. Clair Metropark $500,000.
City of Ferndale (Oakland County) Harding Park inline skating rink replacement $100,000.
City of Grand Ledge (Eaton County) Americans with Disabilities Act observation platform development for Grand River viewing $321,100.
Victor Township (Clinton County) Victor Township Park improvements $278,700
Ottawa County Upper Macatawa Greenway trailhead $347,500.
Grand Blanc Township (Genesee County) Creasey Bicentennial Park reonovation $500,000.
City of Ann Arbor (Washtenaw County) Buhr Park outdoor ice arena improvements $500,000.
City of Northville (Wayne County) restrooms and accessible walkways at Ford Field Park West $500,000.
City of Ironwood (Gogebic County) Pat O’Connell Civic Center Ice Arena ice making plant 375,000.
Chikaming Township (Berrien County) Kohn Park development project $327,700.
Park Township (Ottawa County) Park Township Community Park restroom and parking project $500,000.
DNR Parks and Recreation Division (Monroe County) Bartnik Boating Access Site redevelopment $2 million.

Projects were scored and selected from a field of 16 grant applications from local units of government and two applications from the DNR totaling $9,145,200. All eligible proposed projects received a site visit from DNR Grants Management staff, and all applications were evaluated, scored and ranked.

Program Background

Funds are available to states through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund program for land acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities.

The DNR uses Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars to help develop public outdoor recreation facilities to give people better, broader access to quality public outdoor recreation opportunities. The program supports Native American tribes, villages, cities, townships and counties and divisions within the DNR.

Following federal appropriation, LWCF funds are apportioned to the states each fiscal year, and then, the state’s project recommendations are sent to the National Park Service for approval.

Application information

Eligible applicants include any unit of government, such as Native American tribes, school districts or any combination of units with the legal authority to provide recreation. Applicants can seek funding for a variety of projects, including development of and improvements to playgrounds, trails and walkways, skate parks, boat launches, picnic areas, sports fields and campgrounds, in addition to improved access for users of all abilities beyond Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.

Application materials and information for LWCF grants will be available early in 2025 at Michigan.gov/LWCFGrants. Applications for the 2025 funding cycle are due April 1.