Recreation Grant Funding
In 2021, Spicer Group assisted multiple communities across Michigan with successfully writing 12 different recreation grant applications totaling $2,995,200. The grants were funded through three different Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) grant programs: the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF), the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and the Recreation Passport Grant program. Since 2011, Spicer has written over 110 successful MDNR grant applications totaling $31,454,590. The following communities have received funding notices from the state, have begun working on designs for their projects, and hope to begin construction in late 2022 or early 2023.
Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail –Tittabawassee Township
Tittabawassee Township – MNRTF – $71,300
This grant will be used for the acquisition of one acre of land along Midland Road in Tittabawassee Township. The land will be used to expand an existing multi-use path and will provide a key connection for it to transition from a route along the Tittabawassee River to the road right-of-way and eventually to Hayes Park. This path is part of the larger multi-use Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail (GLBRT) and the state-wide Iron Belle Trail. It will extend the existing trail network which connects trail users to Freeland and Saginaw and is planned to connect to Midland.
Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail – Poseyville Road
Midland Township – MNRTF – $300,000
This funding will be utilized to extend the Midland Township Trail one mile south towards Gordonville Road. The existing trail covers 32.5 miles and will be extended one mile from where the trail currently ends at Bullock Creek Elementary School. The project will also include a bridge/boardwalk to cross the Bullock Creek, and a bench and interpretive signage will be installed. This project is part of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail and the state-wide Iron Belle Trail.
Kawkawlin River Access Improvements
Monitor Township – MNRTF – $273,000
Monitor Township plans to improve river access at Herbert Steih Memorial Park, located off Monitor Road. The park is an access point along the Kawkawlin River-Saginaw Bay Blueways Trail. The funds from this grant will be utilized to provide improved launching for canoes/kayaks and stabilize areas along the riverbank. There will be a new pathway, pavilions, picnic tables, benches, and fishing access. These accommodations will offer ADA accessibility, and the canoe/kayak launch ramp will be repaved, regraded, and extended to reach the waterline since the current ramp stops before that point.
Smith Park
City of Essexville – LWCF – $148,500
The Smith Park Fishing Access and Walkway Improvements project is in Bay County near Woodside Avenue off Burns Street. The 1.5-acre park is located along the Saginaw River and offers shore fishing access including a floating fishing platform, a walkway, and benches. The new improvements will all be universally accessible and will consist of new benches, trash cans, and renovations to the floating dock and existing path. Seawall and shoreline stabilization will also be included with this project.
Williams Township Park Development
Williams Township – LWCF – $195,000
Williams Township Park is a popular recreational area located off Midland Road. The proposed renovations to the 22.35-acre park consist of a new entrance drive, signage, and ADA parking. There will also be upgrades to the tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts which will allow for more fitness opportunities within the community. Several new universally accessible benches will be installed throughout the park, and a rain garden with native plants will be installed.
Carrollton Iron Belle Trail Trailhead
Carrollton Township – MNRTF – $134,500
The Iron Belle Trailhead in Carrollton Township is located off Mapleridge Road. These improvements will consist of a paved parking lot with ADA parking spots, paved pathways, a bike repair station, and bike racks which will be located on the newly paved area. There will also be four new benches, interpretive signage, and an entrance sign. A porta-john shelter and fencing will be installed, and a rain garden will help collect and filter storm water runoff.
Aldrich Park Pickleball Courts
Village of Capac – Recreation Passport – $45,000
This project will expand recreational opportunities in Aldrich Park off North Main Street in Capac and improve universal accessibility by adding pickleball courts to the park. Other improvements include seating, trash bin, paved area and a rain garden.
Ackerman Park
Village of Elkton – Recreation Passport – $150,000
Ackerman Memorial Park covers 30 acres of land off North Main Street and has various amenities including ball diamonds, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic areas with pavilions, horseshoe pits, playground areas and historical buildings. The proposed project includes the development of a new paved pathway that will be ADA accessible and stretch just over half a mile. The path will begin at the entrance of the park and will lead visitors around the entire park. It will also feature fitness stations along the path which provides additional exercise opportunities. The project will include universally accessible parking, signage, and benches.
Clubview Park
Ypsilanti – LWCF – $147,500
This project is located off South Huron River Drive at Clubview Park and will include the removal and replacement of the existing tennis courts with the addition of pickleball courts. The park was established 43 years ago and covers nine acres. The current tennis courts are over 20 years old and in poor condition. The crushed limestone path throughout the park will also have improvements made to it so that it meets the universal accessibility design criteria.
INGHAM COUNTY
Lake Lansing Park North Boardwalk/Trail Phase I
Haslett – MNRTF – $300,000
Lake Lansing Park North covers more than 530 acres of wooded and recreational land in Haslett, MI. The project will replace 680 feet of deteriorated boardwalk which sits along a nearly two-mile stretch of trail. The trail will also be receiving renovations to add crushed stone to the pathway in order to make it more accessible. The project will include the installation of benches, interpretive signs, a new park entry gate, and entrance sign.
Burchfield Park-McNamara Cabins/Trail
Delhi Township – LWCF – $500,000
McNamara Landing in Burchfield Park is a popular location off Grovenburg Road that many people go to for launching canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats, along with enjoying fishing and other recreational activities in and along the Grand River. Ingham County will be upgrading the existing pathway near the landing which loops around a 5-acre pond at the park. This same pathway will also be connecting to two new canoe/kayak launches on the pond. The project will also include installation of five solar-powered cabins with accessible picnic tables and fire pits for each. There will be new ADA accessible parking spaces for each of the new cabins, and the existing well and pump house will be replaced to allow for an outdoor shower system.
Hawk Island Boardwalk Replacement Phase I & II
City of Lansing – MNRTF – $300,000 | City of Lansing – LWCF – $430,400
Phase I and II of the Hawk Island boardwalk replacement project will include replacement of the deteriorated boardwalk with accessible floating boardwalk and an accessible sloped approach leading to the boardwalk. Hawk Island Park is 100 acres and located in Lansing off East Cavanaugh Road. The current boardwalk is roughly 25 years old and in poor condition. The new design focuses on the park’s goal of becoming more inclusive for all visitors. The railings along the new boardwalk will have multiple sections that only reach 34-inch height for accessible viewing and fishing, and interpretive signs will be added with information about the park and its natural features.
