The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Thursday announced that 19 community and state parks, trails and sports facilities across the state have been recommended to share $2,784,800 in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants. This federal program supports villages, cities, townships, counties and the DNR in their efforts to provide broader access to quality public outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.
Projects recommended for funding are in Berrien, Eaton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Mackinac, Montcalm, Oakland, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft and Wayne counties.
Applicants this year sought funding for a variety of projects, including development of and improvements to playgrounds, trails and walkways, skate parks, boat launches, picnic areas and other park facilities, sports fields and campgrounds, as well as improved access for users of all abilities.
The full list of grant recipients, grant amounts and project descriptions is available on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/lwcfgrants.
“Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars play a huge role in creating quality outdoor recreation resources that add value and improve the quality of life for communities throughout Michigan,” said Dan Lord, DNR grants manager. “This fund is an excellent example of successful collaboration among federal, state and local government partners – collaboration that yields real-world health and social benefits for residents and visitors.”
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal program administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the National Park Service. The DNR uses this funding to help develop public outdoor recreation facilities and to provide matching grants for local governments to do the same.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is supported by revenues from federal gas and oil development from the outer continental shelf. Following congressional appropriation, the monies are apportioned to the states by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior each fiscal year in accordance with the apportionment formula contained in the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. The project recommendations will be sent to the National Park Service for federal approval.
Michigan DNR awards more than $1.4 million in Recreation Passport grants
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Thursday announced that 22 communities will share $1,468,900 in Recreation Passport grants – funding that will help those communities complete critical outdoor recreation facility renovations and improvements.
This year, Recreation Passport grant applicants sought funding for a broad range of public outdoor recreation projects, including playground development and renovations, sports and fitness facility development and improvements, trail and walkway development, ski-run development, park and picnic area improvements and improved accessibility for users of all abilities.
Grant funding will support projects in the following counties: Berrien, Delta, Dickinson, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Lenawee, Menominee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Oakland, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren and Wayne.
