What’s happening: Equipped with 10 percent of the proceeds from statewide Recreation Passport sales, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced its latest cohort of Recreation Passport grant recipients. A total of 14 public recreation improvement projects will share an announced $1,896,700 worth of grants as a result of the DNR program.
What’s planned: A total of 14 public recreation projects spread across 13 Michigan counties have been selected for these latest grants, emerging from a field of 52 total applicants. Projects selected can be found in Allegan, Benzie, Berrien, Calhoun, Gogebic, Houghton, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Oceana, Oscoda, St. Clair, and Van Buren counties.
While a complete list of winning projects
is available online, highlights include the City of Niles winning $112,500 for planned improvements to the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail; Oscoda County winning $99,500 toward playground improvements planned at Oscoda County Park; and Homestead Township in Benzie County winning $150,000 for its Platte River Park Pavilion and Picnicking Amenities project.
How they’re doing it: The DNR debuted the Recreation Passport in 2010, replacing the traditional vehicle permits for state park access in an effort to boost visitation and funding to said parks. A $14 annual pass grants guests access to hundreds of state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, and more. Ten percent of proceeds are reserved for the grant program, which supports local communities in their own public recreation projects.
Why it’s important: “The Recreation Passport is a tremendous value providing annual access to state parks, boating access sites, state forest campgrounds and more, all for $14,” says DNR Director Scott Bowen. “In addition, purchases of the Recreation Passport help fund maintenance and improvements at our state parks and provide money we allocate as Recreation Passport grants for local projects across Michigan. All of this adds up to a great program that produces numerous value-added benefits.”
What’s next: The application window for the next round of Recreation Passport grants will open in early 2025, with a deadline set for April 1. More information about the grants and the application process is available
on the DNR website.
Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.