What’s happening: The revitalization of historical Wilson Park in Milan. A one-mile extension of the Betsie Valley Trail through Beulah and Benzonia. Improving the Monroe Loop Greenway with the addition of an accessible trail, fitness center, plazas, and gathering spaces. These and more than two dozen additional public recreation projects throughout the state have recently been announced as recipients of nearly $22 million in Michigan Spark Grant funding.
What it is: The Michigan Spark Grants were first announced in March 2022 with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s signing of the Building Michigan Together Plan, a nearly $5 billion investment in the state’s infrastructure. The plan touches on everything from housing to high-speed internet, with $450 million invested in Michigan parks — $65 million of which having been reserved for the Spark Grant program.
Who won: A total of 31 Spark Grants have been recommended by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the department tasked with administering the grants. The majority of the grants are headed to Michigan’s rural communities, and includes $473,700 for Sunken Lake improvements in Alpena County; $1 million for Grass River Natural Area Boardwalk Trail improvements in Antrim County; $871,000 to create universal access points for the Cheboygan River and Children’s Trail in the City of Cheboygan; and more.
Click
HERE for a complete list of selected projects and communities.
That’s a wrap: This is the second and final round of the Spark Grant program; more than $14 million was awarded to 21 Michigan communities in February 2023. As part of this most recent news, the Michigan DNR also announced that the remaining $27.5 million of the $65 million Spark Grant program will be awarded through a partnership with the
Council of Michigan Foundations. Grants will be available to public recreation projects in 39 underserved
opportunity communities throughout the state, more details of which
can be found online.
Why it’s important: “It’s gratifying to know that even more Michigan communities will see tangible benefits from this unparalleled federal funding opportunity to expand outdoor recreation,” says DNR Director Scott Bowen. “Michiganders of all ages deserve the chance to discover the outdoors, enjoy new recreation experiences and relax with family and friends. These Spark Grants will help make that possible by funding a variety of public recreation projects across our state.”
Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.
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