MNRTF Grant Funding Announced: Congratulations to Recommended Member Projects!
The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) provides financial assistance to local governments and the Department of Natural Resources to purchase land for public recreation or protection (acquisition); it also assists in the development of land for public outdoor recreation.
The MNRTF Board recommended 99 development projects and acquisitions totaling $39.6 million during its meeting on Wednesday, December 9.
Congratulations to all MRPA members who received recommendation from the MNRTF Board:
Acquisitions
Acme Township - recommended to receive $862,500 to acquire approximately 475 feet of frontage on East Grand Traverse Bay in two parcels.
Bath Township - recommended to receive $40,000 to acquire 4.2 acres to connect Park Lake Preserve property to Park Lake Road for future nature/walking trail development.
Bay County - recommended to receive $259,000 to acquire 60 acres of riverfront property on the Pinconning River that adjoins Pinconning Park.
Jackson County - recommended to receive $337,700 to develop a non-motorized pathway connection and greenbelt between the Inter City Trail and Sparks Foundation County Park.
River Raisin Recreation Area acquisition by the MDNR Parks and Recreation Division - recommended to receive $3 million to acquire 2,000 acres in southern Jackson and Washtenaw counties for a new southern Michigan recreation area to focus on hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation.
St. Clair County - recommended to receive $150,000 to acquire 2.75 acres of former railroad right-of-way between Military Street and the St. Clair River to develop a universally accessible trail.
Washtenaw County - recommended to receive $2,275,000 to acquire 54.17 acres of urban nature area that will connect two nature preserves.
Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area, managed by the DNR’s Wildlife Division - recommended to receive $400,000 to acquire 106 acres with one-quarter mile of waterfront on Saginaw Bay to provide ice fishing, waterfowl, deer, turkey and small game hunting opportunities.
Statewide Initiative - Various rail-to-trail acquisitions by the DNR recommended for $1 million in funding to extend, connect or enhance the state recreation trail network, including lands for trailhead support facilities.
Development Projects
City of Ann Arbor - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop Gallup Park to include barrier-free access to buildings, energy improvements, barrier-free docks for boating and fishing, a patio area, updates for a park building and trail improvements.
City of Ann Arbor - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop an in-ground concrete skate park at Veterans Memorial Park.
City of Buchanan - recommended to receive $288,000 to develop a linear urban trail from St. Joseph River on the east end of the city to the natural prairie on
the west end of the city.
Charlevoix County - recommended to receive $300,000 to construct a 10-foot wide non-motorized recreational trail from Boyne City to the Evangeline/Bay Township line.
Comstock Township - recommended to receive $300,000 for improvements to Robert Morris Park, including a multi-use building, pavement/concrete removal, sidewalk, topsoil/seed/mulch and storage building demolition.
City of Dearborn - recommended to receive $268,900 to develop a new bridge across the Huron River on the Camp Dearborn non-motorized trail with a fishing pier and canoe launch.
Dansville State Game Area Shooting Range, a project managed by the DNR - recommended to receive $300,000 to renovate the shooting range at Dansville State Game Area to include universally accessible stands, rifle and pistol berms, shooting stations, rustic restroom facilities, upgrading the entrance walkway, service drive and parking area.
Delhi Township - is recommended to receive $300,000 to develop approximately two miles of non-motorized trail to connect to the existing Lansing River Trail.
City of Detroit - recommended to receive $300,000 for improvements to Jayne-Lasky Playfield, including development of walking trails, relocation of a soccer field, renovations to two softball diamonds, landscaping improvements and site amenities.
City of Detroit - recommended to receive $300,000 for improvements to Lipke Playfield, including relocation of a football field, conversion of open space, horseshoe courts, renovation of a softball diamond, walking trails, landscaping and site amenities.
City of Eaton Rapids - recommended to receive $300,000 for improvements to Mill Street Landing to include construction of a non-motorized trail, universally accessible canoe launches, rain gardens, riverbank stabilization, parking areas, site furnishings and interpretive signage.
Fred Meijer Ionia to Owosso Rail-Trail Development, a project managed by the DNR - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop eight miles of paved rail-trail through the communities of Ovid, St. Johns, Fowler, Pewamo and Muir. The project includes grading and drainage, bridges and culverts, access management, site amenities and signage.
Garfield Township - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop Historic Barns Park and Garden to include universally accessible paved trails, a picnic grove, interpretive center and site amenities.
City of Grand Rapids - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop Pleasant Park to include play/informal sports and neighborhood gathering areas, barrierfree playground, sledding/rolling hill, accessible concrete walks, native landscaping and rain gardens.
City of Harbor Beach - recommended to receive $281,000 to develop a bike and pedestrian path, new restroom facilities and playground equipment along the city’s waterfront.
Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority - recommended to receive $94,000 for improvements to Kensington Metropark to include a pond overlook, replace a seawall, walks and railing, group seating area, interpretive signage, viewing scopes and accessibility to pond dipping programs.
City of Inkster - recommended to receive $300,000 to construct a trail within the Lower Rouge Parkway System.
City of Jackson - recommended to receive $70,000 to resurface basketball and tennis courts in Bloomfield Park.
City of Kentwood - recommended to receive $125,400 to develop a boardwalk addition and replace existing boardwalk at Northeast Park.
City of Lathrup Village - recommended to receive $50,000 to replace playground equipment at Goldengate Park.
Muskegon County - recommended to receive $150,800 to develop Rotary Park, to include providing access to canoeing and kayaking for persons with disabilities and a
barrier-free play ground.
Oakland Township - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop a paved trail, boardwalks, pedestrian bridges, interpretive/directional signage and fishing
access on the Paint Creek Trail/Polly Ann Trail south connector.
Ottawa County - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop a waterfront walkway along 1,300 feet of Lake Macatawa to include paved walkways, boardwalks, overlooks and interpretive displays.
City of Petoskey - recommended to receive $300,000 to develop a 10-foot wide concrete path, trailhead parking, road crossings, benches, interpretive signs and native seeding for the city’s Downtown Greenway north segment.
City of Petoskey - recommended to receive $59,700 to construct a .37 mile paved, accessible non-motorized trail connecting Village Harbor Drive and Resort Township’s East Park.
Saginaw County - recommended to receive $251,500 to develop 1.4 miles of trail to connect between the existing Saginaw Valley Rail-Trail and the pathway along Center Road.
City of South Haven - recommended to receive $254,800 to develop universally accessible restrooms, pavilion, basketball courts and fencing at Elkenburg Park.
City of St. Joseph - recommended to receive $247,100 for improvements at Lions Park Beach, including replacing restrooms, adding an accessible picnic pavilion, improving access to the water and concrete walkway enhancements.
City of Traverse City - recommended to receive $210,000 to develop 2,900 linear feet of 10-foot wide non-motorized, multi-use trail on the Boardman Lake Trail West within a city recreation area to include picnic areas, shelters, seating, a fishing pier, a kayak/canoe launch and bike racks.
Statewide Initiatives -Statewide Equestrian Initiative, a project managed by the DNR, is recommended to receive $300,000 to develop various equestrian trails, trailheads, camping and support
facilities.
Learn more about the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund
View all MNRTF acquisition recommendations
View all MNRTF development recommendations