Michigan DNR recommends $4.6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has recommended 21 community and state parks, trails and sports facilities across the state to share $4,613,500 in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants.
Applicants this year sought funding for a variety of projects, including development of and improvements to playgrounds, trails and walkways, skate parks, boat launches, picnic areas, sports fields and campgrounds, in addition to improved access for users of all abilities beyond Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Projects recommended for funding are in Berrien, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Macomb, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Wayne and Wexford counties.
“Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars play a huge role in creating quality
outdoor recreation resources that add value and improve the quality of life for
communities throughout Michigan,” said Dan Lord, DNR grants manager. “This fund is an excellent example of successful collaboration among federal, state and local government partners. That collaboration yields real-world health and social benefits for residents and visitors.”
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal program administered in
Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the National Park
Service. The DNR uses this funding to help develop public outdoor recreation
facilities and to provide matching grants for local governments to do the same. The program supports villages, cities, townships, counties and divisions within the DNR in their efforts to provide broader access to quality public outdoor recreation opportunities.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is supported by revenues from federal gas and oil development from the Gulf of Mexico. Following congressional appropriation, the monies are apportioned to the states by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior each fiscal year. The project recommendations will be sent to the National Park Service for federal approval.
Application materials for future Land and Water Conservation Fund grants are available at Michigan.gov/LWCFGrants.
For more information about this grant program in Michigan, contact DNR Grants Management at 517-284-7268 or DNR-Grants@michigan.gov.
