LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Nearly $2 million in Recreation Passport grants will be awarded to 16 communities for various projects, including the Southwest Michigan area.
Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the grants Monday.
The Recreation Passport grant program started 11 years ago with the goal of boosting visitation and funding for Michigan state parks, while also creating more funding for local, community parks and trails enhancement throughout the state.
“The Recreation Passport gives Michigan residents and visitors access to our state’s unmatched natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities all year long,” Governor Whitmer said. “Every Recreation Passport purchase provides grant funding that helps communities bring to life the kind of modern, inclusive outdoor spaces that welcome residents of all abilities.”
Officials say tourism to Michigan parks generates value for surrounding communities, creates jobs, and sustains small businesses.
Michigan’s outdoor recreation industry supports billions in state Gross Domestic Product and sustains 126,000 jobs and over $4.7 billion in wages and salaries in the state.
On average, officials say every $1 invested in land conservation leads to $4 in economic benefit.
The DNR introduced the Recreation Passport in 2010, replacing the traditional annual motor vehicle permit for state park access with a purchase program tied to the renewal of license plate registrations.
Support for the Recreation Passport has steadily grown since the program’s start – more than a third of Michigan registered vehicles now have the Recreation Passport on their license plate tabs – and that means more available funding for grants.
With the announcement of this year’s recipients, the Recreation Passport grant program (established by Public Act 35 of 2010) has awarded just over $14.6 million statewide.
Counties where funded grant projects have been approved include Arenac, Benzie, Berrien, Charlevoix, Huron, Ingham, Leelanau, Marquette, Montmorency, Sanilac, St. Clair, St. Joseph and Van Buren.
In Southwest Michigan, projects receiving grant funding are listed as follows:
- City of Watervliet, Berrien County – $71,600 for Hays Dog Park
- City of Sturgis, St. Joseph County – $150,000 for Sturgis Splash Pad
- Village of Stevensville, Berrien County – $150,000 for Hickory Creek Park Pavilion
- Village of Lawton, Van Buren County – $74,000 for Chancy Lewis Park renovations
Selected projects were scored and selected from a field of 53 grant applications seeking $5.9 million in local funding. Officials say successful applicants clearly demonstrated projects designed to broaden public access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities.
“It’s all about getting more people outside, more often, whether you’re going camping for the weekend or enjoying an after-dinner stroll at the neighborhood park,” DNR Director Dan Eichinger said. “Recreation Passport grants make more of these opportunities possible and having such places to safely turn to is proving to be incredibly important during the COVID pandemic.”
To view all projects recommended for funding for this year’s Recreation Passport Grants, click here.
