14 MI Parks Get Nearly $1.9M For Upgrades: See List

MICHIGAN — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday that 14 communities will share $1,896,700 in Recreation Passport grants for local public recreation projects.

The funding comes from DNR’s Recreation Passport grant program, which began in 2010 with the goal of boosting visitation and funding for Michigan state parks.

The Recreation Passport is a $14 annual pass required for access to 103 state parks and recreation areas, more than 140 state forest campgrounds, Michigan historic sites, hundreds of boating access sites and thousands of miles of trails.

Of the Recreation Passport proceeds, 10 percent are granted to communities across the state for development and improvement of local public recreation facilities. The other revenue from the passport sales goes to infrastructure and operations costs for state parks.

Officials recommended these Michigan areas for funding:

• Village of Decatur, Van Buren County, Fireman’s Park Improvement Project ($150,000)
• Oscoda County, Oscoda County Park Playground ($99,500)
• City of Niles, Berrien County, IN MI River Valley Trail Improvements ($112,500)
• City of Springfield, Calhoun County, Springfield Schools Memorial Park Playground Improvements ($150,000)
• Salem Township, Allegan County, Salem Township Pickleball Courts ($150,000)
• New Buffalo Area Recreation Authority, Berrien County, Oselka Park Softball Field Dugout and Bleacher Improvements ($150,000)
• City of Algonac, St. Clair County, Lions Field Park Pathway ($150,000)
• City of Wakefield, Gogebic County, Pupper Peninsula Dog Park at Eddy Park ($102,700)
• Columbia Charter Township, Jackson County, Hyde Road Park Parking Lot Improvements ($119,500)
• Schoolcraft Township, Houghton County, Big Traverse Bay Boat Launch Improvement Project ($112,500)
• Homestead Township, Benzie County, Platte River Park Pavilion and Picnicking Amenities ($150,000)
• Village of Clinton, Lenawee County, Tate Park River Raisin Pathway Loop ($150,000)
• Village of Rothbury, Oceana County, Czarny Park Renovation ($150,000)
• City of Lapeer, Lapeer County, Kiwanis Club of Lapeer Inclusive Playground ($150,000)

The projects were scored and selected from a field of 52 grant applications seeking a total of $6.7 million in funding.

The Recreation Passport replaced the DNR’s traditional annual motor vehicle permit for state park access with a purchase program tied to the renewal of license plate registrations.