Jan. 11, 2018

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

DNR awards nearly $2.8 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to support park improvements 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that 19 community and state parks, trails and sports facilities across the state have been recommended to share $2,784,800 in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants. This federal program supports villages, cities, townships, counties and the DNR in their efforts to provide broader access to quality public outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.

Projects recommended for funding are in Berrien, Eaton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Mackinac, Montcalm, Oakland, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft and Wayne counties.

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 and other park facilities, sports fields and campgrounds, as well as improved access for users of all abilities.

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

“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 – collaboration that 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 Land and Water Conservation Fund is supported by revenues from federal gas and oil development from the outer continental shelf. Following congressional appropriation, the monies are apportioned to the states by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior each fiscal year in accordance with the apportionment formula contained in the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. The project recommendations will be sent to the National Park Service for federal approval. 

Application materials for future Land and Water Conservation Fund grants will be available later this month at www.michigan.gov/lwcfgrants. 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                                      

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.