Jan. 11, 2018

Contact: Jon Mayes, 517-284-5954 or Christie Bayus, 517-284-5923 

DNR awards more than $1.4 million in Recreation Passport grants

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that 22 communities will share $1,468,900 in Recreation Passport grants – funding that will help those communities complete critical outdoor recreation facility renovations and improvements.

This year, Recreation Passport grant applicants sought funding for a broad range of public outdoor recreation projects, including playground development and renovations, sports and fitness facility development and improvements, trail and walkway development, ski-run development, park and picnic area improvements and improved accessibility for users of all abilities.

Grant funding will support projects in the following counties: Berrien, Delta, Dickinson, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Lenawee, Menominee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Oakland, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren and Wayne.

The full list of grant recipients, grant amounts and project descriptions is available on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassportgrants.

Successful applicants clearly demonstrated projects designed to increase public access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities. Their projects were chosen from a field of 73 grant applications seeking $4.8 million in funding.

“The Recreation Passport is all about getting more people outside, more often, to enjoy Michigan’s natural resources and many outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Dan Lord, DNR grants manager. “The Recreation Passport grant program makes it possible for us to work together to make a lot of good things happen at the local level. For many communities, that means more opportunities to discover a new outdoor hobby, hike or paddle a trail, or simply enjoy the day in a clean, safe park with family and friends.”

Administered by the DNR, Recreation Passport grant funding is derived from sales of the Recreation Passport, the $11 annual pass that gives residents vehicle entry at state parks and recreation areas and boating access sites. 

Application materials for future Recreation Passport grants will be available later this month at www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants. People also may call DNR Grants Management at 517-284-7268 or write to:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Grants Management
P.O. Box 30425
Lansing, MI 48909-7925

For just $11 (or $6 for motorcycles) a year, Michigan's Recreation Passport enables Michigan-registered vehicle access to more than 100 state parks, hundreds of miles of trails, historic sites, boat launches and other state-managed destinations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.