MARQUETTE — Recreation development grants have been awarded for several Marquette County projects, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signing legislation authorizing $28.7 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants.

“Over the past months as Michigan continues to combat COVID-19, we’ve seen just how important having access to public land, developed parks, trails and outdoor recreation is for all Michiganders,” Whitmer said in a news release. “In communities throughout the state, the Natural Resources Trust Fund grant program provides essential opportunities for people to continue to get outside and recreate safely.”

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the trust fund board recommends funding to both state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions that will increase the quality and quantity of public outdoor recreation opportunities. This round of grant is for the continued support of:

≤ Acquisitions of high-quality, unique wildlife and fishery habitats for conservation and public access;

≤ Trail systems that have broad regional and statewide impact; and

≤ An extensive range of development projects that expand opportunities across Michigan for outdoor recreation, including development of urban parks and playscapes, sports field enhancements and river access.

This year, the board recommended nearly $17.2 million in acquisition grants and $11.5 million in recreation development grants.

A $50,000 recreation development grant was awarded to the DNR for replacement of the fishing platform at Harlow Lake. The platform, located in the Little Presque Isle Recreation Area in Marquette Township, is an overlook platform that offers the only Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant access on the lake.

The existing platform has outlived its useful life because of harsh winters and frequent use, the project description reads. The proposed project will replace the old platform with a new structure of the same size and location using universal-design principles. The existing aggregate pathway, parking lot and signage near the platform are to be upgraded to meet ADA standards.

The DNR also was awarded a recreation development grant of $50,000 for rehabilitation of the Overlook Trail at Van Riper State Park near Champion. The project will consist of repairing an existing 200-foot section of the trail, which is a 1.5-mile-long trail loop that climbs abruptly 160 feet in elevation to several scenic overlooks.

The overlooks provide view of the state park, Lake Michigamme and the Peshekee River. The trail climbs a rocky escarpment, but because of its popularity and steep terrain, significant surface erosion has occurred along this segment.

The renovation will involve replacement of wood crib-supported stairs, hand railings and ADA-compliant aggregate surface improvements.

Forsyth Township was awarded a recreation development grant of $49,000 ft to install new restrooms at the Gwinn ball fields. The new restroom will feature two ADA-compliant restrooms, which will be open year-round. They will serve summer park visitors when the ball fields and all-terrain vehicle routes are used regularly, and during the winter for ice oval track users and snowmobilers who cross the region.

The building will provide space to house a future concession at the park. The project will also include development of a paved parking area, benches and walkways adjacent to the building.

Collectively, the $28.7 million of trust fund grants is matched with nearly $20.7 million of additional funding for a total of nearly $49.4 million being invested in land acquisition and development projects across Michigan.

“Michigan places a high value on quality, outdoor recreation opportunities,” DNR Director Dan Eichinger said in a news release. “Trust fund grants have leveraged additional dollars from local government partners to expand outdoor recreation throughout the state and ensure conservation of Michigan’s unmatched natural resources.”

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of land for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects.

It is funded through interest earned on funds derived from the development of publicly owned minerals, primarily oil and gas, and can be used only for public outdoor recreation. The trust fund board’s recommendations go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriation process. The Legislature then forwards a bill to the governor for approval.

Descriptions of the development projects and acquisition projects approved by Whitmer are available at Michigan.gov/MNRTF.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net