The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that 17 community and DNR parks, trails and sports facilities across the state have been recommended to share $2,289,600 in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants. This federal program, administered in Michigan by the DNR, supports villages, cities, townships, counties and the DNR in their efforts to provide better public outdoor recreation opportunities for their residents and visitors.
Applicants this year sought funding for a broad range of public outdoor recreation 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 those with disabilities.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund grants have been awarded to:
- Village of Ashley (Gratiot County)
- Brandon Township (Oakland County)
- City of Cadillac (Wexford County)
- Delta Charter Township (Eaton County)
- Village of Farwell (Clare County)
- Hayes Township (Charlevoix County)
- City of Ionia (Ionia County)
- Livingston County
- Meridian Charter Township (Ingham County)
- Monitor Charter Township (Bay County)
- Michigan DNR (Crawford County)
- Michigan DNR (Luce County)
- Midland Charter Township (Midland County)
- City of Rochester Hills (Oakland County)
- Sparta Recreational Authority (Kent County)
- City of St. Clair Shores (Macomb County)
- St. Joseph County
"The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a collaborative effort between federal, state and local government partners to provide high-quality recreation opportunities for Michigan residents and visitors," said Steve DeBrabander, DNR grants manager. "It's an important investment in the quality of life and economic well-being in the communities."
Successful applicants clearly demonstrated projects designed to increase public access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities. The selected projects were chosen from a field of 30 grant applications seeking some $3,855,700 in funding.
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.
Application materials for future Land and Water Conservation Fund grants will be available in January at www.michigan.gov/lwcfgrants. Interested individuals also may call DNR Grants Management at 517-284-7268 or write to:
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Grants Management
P.O. Box 30425
Lansing, MI 48909-7925
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For additional information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
Published: Tue, Jan 03, 2017
