Twenty-nine Michigan communities whose economic opportunities and public health were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic are now benefitting from more than $24 million in Spark Grants. It’s a partnership of the state’s Department of Natural Resources partnering and the Council of Michigan Foundations.
The program gives priority funding to areas that lack public recreation spaces, have a high proportion of households that are struggling financially, and a high number of residents with physical and mental health disparities.
The idea is to expand access to recreation projects in areas where there has been little or no previous parks and rec investment and to engage a diverse group of community residents in all aspects of those projects.
The City of Muskegon Heights received nearly a million dollars for the Rowan Park Redevelopment and Splash Pad project.
The City of White Cloud in Newaygo County received more than $860,000 for Smith Park Improvements through the Fremont Area Community Foundation.
The aim is to remove barriers not only in funding to develop these projects but also in support services to maintain them.
