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MARQUETTE -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that 18 communities will share $1.926 million for projects that include trailhead development in Marquette County.
The Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority will receive $73,300 for the Iron Ore Heritage Trail trailhead in Negaunee Township. The trail, which runs from Chocolay Township to Republic, is a 47-mile, year-round, multi-use interpretive trail that follows mostly abandoned railroad corridors used to bring lumber to furnaces and forges, and iron ore to the Lake Superior harbor.
Improvements to DeTour Village Veterans Park in Chippewa County was the other Upper Peninsula project slated to receive funds, being granted a total of $150,000.
The DNR introduced the Recreation Passport in 2010, replacing the traditional window sticker system for state park access with a purchase program tied to the renewal of license plate registrations.
Support for the Recreation Passport has steadily grown since the program's start; more than a third of Michigan registered vehicles now have the Recreation Passport on their license plate tabs, which means more available funding for grants.
With the announcement of this year's recipients, the Recreation Passport grant program. established by Public Act 35 of 2010, has awarded just over $12.7 million statewide.
Other counties where funded grant projects have been approved were Alcona, Alpena, Barry, Clare, Crawford, Genesee, Isabella, Lapeer, Manistee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oakland, Ogemaw, Osceola and Shiawassee.
Projects were scored and selected from a field of 59 grant applications seeking $6.5 million in local funding. Successful applicants clearly demonstrated projects designed to broaden public access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities.
"Recreation Passport grants help communities of all sizes bring more and better recreation opportunities to residents of all abilities, and those types of amenities make communities stronger," said Christie Bayus, Recreation Passport grant program manager, in a news release. "During this time, having a fun, safe place to enjoy the outdoors is more important than ever, and these grants make projects to achieve that possible."
Funding for this program is derived from sales of Michigan's Recreation Passport, required for vehicle entry into Michigan's 103 state parks, 140 state forest campgrounds, hundreds of miles of state trails, historic sites, hundreds of boating access sites and other outdoor spaces. With every sale of a Recreation Passport, 10% goes directly to the grant program.
"We've seen an upswing in the number of visitors coming out to use Michigan state parks, trails and other outdoor opportunities, as people look for COVID-safe ways to relax and get exercise," said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief, in a news release. "Those visitors represent a direct investment in state parks and local parks, because about $1 from every Recreation Passport purchased funds those local park and recreation grants."
The application period for the next round of Recreation Passport grant funding opens in January, with applications due April 1. Learn more about the program and application materials at Michigan.gov/DNRGrants.
The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund also recently recommended to the Michigan Legislature that 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions totaling $37,789,600 be funded in 2021.
Two local cities were recommended for development grants.
The city of Marquette was awarded $300,000 for an inclusive playground at Mattson Lower Harbor Park.
The city of Negaunee was awarded $125,700 for playground equipment at Jackson Mine Park.