Michigan DNR awards several communities over $1.8M in recreation grants for park and trail improvement
BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday that 14 communities will receive $1,896,700 in Recreation Passport grants in total for local public recreation projects.
DNR officials say the grants will fund a range of projects, including improvements and developments.
In Berrien County, the IN MI River Valley Trail will receive $112,500 for improvements and $150,000 will go toward the Oselka Park Softball Field Dugout and Bleacher improvements.
In Van Buren County, the Fireman’s Park Improvements Project will receive $150,000.
“The Recreation Passport is a tremendous value providing annual access to state parks, boating access sites, state forest campgrounds and more, all for $14,” said 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."
Officials say the Recreation Passport replaced the DNR’s annual motor vehicle permit for state park access with a purchase program tied to the renewal of license plate registrations.
DNR officials say the Recreation Passport grant program started in 2010 aiming to boost visitation and funding for Michigan state parks.
The passport is a $14 annual pass needed to access 103 state parks and recreation areas, over140 state forest campgrounds, historic sites, hundreds of boating access sites, and thousands of miles of trails.
You can view the full list of recipients here.
The Michigan DNR also announced Chikaming Township in Berrien County will receive $327,700 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for the Kohn Park development project.