Recreation Project Grants Awarded - 2023
Since 2011 Spicer Group has written nearly 140 successful grants totaling over $40 million in funding assistance for a variety of recreation-related projects. We are excited for the following communities who received notification in early 2024 that their projects are receiving grant money to help fund their implementation.
These grants have assisted in funding
Multi-use parks
Tennis/pickleball courts
Playgrounds
Land acquisitions
Boat launches
Wildlife viewing
Canoe/kayak launches
Fishing docks
Camping/cabins
Trail heads
Basketball Courts
Waterfront access
Nonmotorized trails
Fort Gratiot Charter Township
City of DeWitt
Fort Gratiot Charter Township
Ingham County
Village of Mayville
Saginaw County
City of Bay City
City of Manistee
Bridgeport Charter Township
City of Bay City
Parker Road West Park Trail Development — Recreation Passport Grant — $112,500
A Recreation Passport Grant was awarded to Fort Gratiot Charter Township for the development of a 0.67-mile universally-accessible trail looping throughout Parker Road West Park. The project site is located on a 101-acre undeveloped park in the Township. The proposed trail is an opportunity to expand the Township’s trail system and connect to the Bridge to Bay Trail, a regional trail along Michigan’s Thumb Coast in Sanilac and St. Clair counties.
McGuire Park and River Access Improvements — Land and Water Conservation Fund — $157,800
The City of DeWitt received grant funding to add universally accessible improvements to the 8-acre McGuire Park, including four pickleball courts, walkways leading to the courts, a three-component fitness station, and pedestrian access to the river.
Parker Road West Campground Development — Land and Water Conservation Fund — $500,000
Development of a universally accessible 25-site full-hook-up campground, accessible playground, universally-accessible restroom, picnic grove with native habitat, and site amenities such as universally accessible benches, trash receptacles, and ADA parking at the new Parker Road West Park in Fort Gratiot Township. The property is a 101-acre site that is currently undeveloped.
Riverbend Natural Area River Access — Trust Fund Development Grant — $300,000
Ingham County received grant funding to improve river and fishing access at the Riverbend Natural Area, an area within Burchfield Park. The improvements will provide a universally-accessible fishing dock, replace the existing stairs and dock at the river, riverbank stabilization, and new paved walkways. In addition, the project will provide the following amenities to improve universal accessibility at the park: paved ADA parking spaces, an accessible picnic pad with a picnic table and grill, an accessible bench, a paved pad for an ADA porta-john along the walkway, and interpretive signage. The project will also replace the deteriorating boardwalk over Peppermint Creek with a new widened boardwalk.
Bodeis Park — Recreation Passport Grant — $135,000
The Village of Mayville received funding to improve and renovate the old playground equipment with a new accessible playground area, accessible sidewalks, accessible parking spaces, an accessible bench, a trash receptacle, and native plantings at the 1.7-acre park.
Saginaw Valley Rail Trail Rehabilitation — Trust Fund Development Grant — $300,000
Saginaw County was awarded a Trust Fund Development Grant to assist with the renovation of the existing Saginaw Valley Rail Trail that extends 11 miles from the Village of St. Charles to Saginaw Charter Township. The trail was constructed in 2001, is 12 feet wide, and accommodates non-motorized and equestrian traffic. The project involves renovation of the existing trail surfaces which are experiencing deterioration, including vertical cracking, heaving, bridge deck deterioration, and sinking or dipping due to a degrading sub-base.
Niagara Woods Nature Area — Trust Fund Development Grant — $300,000
The City of Bay City, working with the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy (SBLC), received a Trust Fund Development Grant to develop the Niagara Woods Nature Area. The improvements will include a universally accessible crushed stone path connecting to the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail, a nature playground, outdoor classrooms, a hammock area, habitat restoration and vegetation management, universally accessible shoreline fishing access, benches, trash/recycling receptacles, and interpretive signs. The City is looking forward to working with the SBLC to transform the 14-acre park on the Saginaw River into a usable nature area where people of all abilities can enjoy and learn and play in the natural environment.
Veterans Memorial Park — Trust Fund Development Grant — $300,000
The City of Manistee received funding through the Trust Fund Development Grant to renovate and improve the existing Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Manistee along the bank of the Manistee River. The project will modernize and update the existing walking paths, viewing and fishing decks, will add a new boardwalk to access the fishing deck, add accessible parking spaces, and incorporate a linear bioswale with native plantings to filter storm water entering into the Manistee River.
Cass River Trail Loop — Trust Fund Development Grant — $300,000
This project will extend the existing Cass River Trail which currently spans from the State Street Historic Bridge through Davis/Lyle Park and ends at a gravel parking lot along Fort Road. The project will create an 8-foot-wide looped path that stretches 0.9-miles through the Township to connect and provide safe access to many amenities, including the historical village, parks, downtown Bridgeport, and residential neighborhoods in the community. The trail will also connect to the universally accessible canoe/kayak launch on the Cass River in Davis Park.
Liberty Bay Harbor Dock Replacement — Waterways Grant — $581,500
The City of Bay City received a Waterways Grant for the removal and replacement of Liberty Harbor Marina Dock C. The dock, installed in the late-1980’s, is deteriorating and presents safety concerns. The project will also replace the security gate and system.
