Michigan DNR announces Land and Water Conservation Fund recommended projects

Twelve city parks throughout Michigan and one facility managed by the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were recently endorsed to receive a total of $1.24 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants, which will be administered by the DNR.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a great example of a federal, state and local government partnership that works,” DNR grants manager Steve DeBrabander said. “These vital dollars are used to provide communities with greater public outdoor recreation opportunities that both improve citizens’ quality of life and encourage healthier lifestyles.”

The DNR received 27 grant applications seeking approximately $2,257,000 this year and selected the 13 winners based on the projects’ potentials to increase public access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Selected projects include playground development, improvements to parks and athletic complexes, trail development and increased access for people with disabilities.

After having earned recommendations from the DNR, the projects will be sent to the National Park Service for approval. Funding for the program comes from federal gas and oil development revenues and is divvied among the states by the Secretary of the Interior.

Counties benefitting from the grants include: St. Clair, Eaton, Branch, Ingham, Emmet, Macomb, Isabella, Genesee, Delta, Bay, Oceana and Huron.