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New State Grant Expands Southeast Michigan Green Infrastructure and Trail Networks

Amy O'Leary

Amy O'Leary

Amy O’Leary has been employed at SEMCOG since 1994. She became Deputy Executive Director in 2017 and Executive Director in 2020. She is a Certified Association Executive. She holds leadership positions at Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, and the Executive Directors Council of the National Association of Regions.

We received good news last week when the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board announced their grant awards. Southeast Michigan received more than $4 million for acquisition of land for parks and $1 million for development of parks and trails.

Picture of the Schmid Marina
Schmid Marina, a new acquisition for the City of New Baltimore
Image credit: Google Maps via Loopnet

These projects further implement SEMCOG’s Green Infrastructure Vision and Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel Plan by increasing public access to our waterways and improving connectivity of the green infrastructure and trail networks. SEMCOG is proud to be a partner on many of these initiatives.

Here are a few highlights:

  • The City of New Baltimore received funding for acquisition of Schmid Marina.
  • St. Clair County made two acquisitions, including almost 40 acres adjacent to Goodells County Park.
  • Washtenaw County acquired West Lake Preserve, which was one of the places we visited on the SEMCOG-hosted Trust Fund Board Bus Tour earlier this year.
  • The City of Southgate will make improvements at Market Center Park; earlier this year SEMCOG provided the city with a $200,000 TAP grant for a multi-use trail connection to this park.
  • Orion will develop a portion of the Iron Belle Trail.

Congratulations to you all!

If you would like more information on this funding program and how SEMCOG can assist, please us know. We are here to help!

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