It has been a highly competitive year for DNR Recreation Grants, from the annual funding decisions announced in December, to last week’s first round of Spark Grant awards. There are multiple reasons for this high demand, relative to available resources. A down market year like we saw in 2022 typically results in a more cautious approach to spending for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund – the State’s largest source of funding for local parks and trails. The new Spark Grant program also saw an unprecedented response from local communities, with the total sum of statewide grants more than 20 times the amount awarded in round one. Other annual programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Recreation Passport Grant Program can be even more competitive than others, given their smaller scale and more lenient requirements.
While many strong proposals were submitted from Southeast Michigan, the high demand for these limited resources means that the majority of applicants will be looking for other ways to fund their parks and recreation projects. This also reinforces what we heard in the New Future of Southeast Michigan Community Conversations about the importance of parks and recreation through the pandemic and the growing need for more outdoor opportunities that are close to home. SEMCOG is always happy to work with communities to help identify funding opportunities and to develop concepts and proposals that align with their priorities. Please visit SEMCOG’s Grant Opportunities webpage or contact Tyler Klifman, SEMCOG Economic and Community Vitality Planner II, for assistance.
We are very excited that 13 projects rose to the top of the list for DNR’s programs, which will invest more than $6 million in our region’s parks! Congratulations to these communities, which will implement much-needed local improvements that support SEMCOG’s regional vision:
Enhancing amenities for active play:
- Clay Township – Clay Twp Park Playscape
- Port Huron – 16th & Dove Street Park Improvements
- Trenton – Kennedy Aquatic Center Renewal
Acquiring waterfront land around developed areas:
- Beverly Hills – Rouge River Acquisition
- Washtenaw County – Saline Preserve Acquisition
Improving waterfront amenities and access:
- Hamburg Township – Bennett Park Renovations & Huron River Water Trail Access
- Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority (HCMA) – Lake St. Clair Metropark Boardwalk Renovation
- HCMA – Delhi Metropark Canoe and Kayak Launch Renovation
- Casco Township – Belle River Park Picnic Pavilion
- St Clair County – Development of North Channel county Park
Making outdoor spaces more accessible and inclusive:
- Hamtramck – Veterans Park Hamtramck Stadium Restroom Renovation
- HCMA – Stony Creek Metropark Reflection Trail and Accessibility Renovation
- Romulus – Mary Ann Banks Park Social Equity and Universal Access Project
Is your community interested in applying for DNR grants in the future? Learn more at their annual Recreation Grant Workshop – to be hosted virtually this Thursday, February 16 at 1 p.m. No advanced registration is required, and a recording of the workshop will be posted on the DNR Recreation Grants website, where you can find additional information about these opportunities.
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