The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board has recommended that the Michigan Legislature approve 60 recreation development projects and 15 land acquisitions totaling $45 million to be funded in 2026, with several Thumb area projects on the list.
The board this year considered a total of 100 applications seeking over $56.6 million in funding. In a competitive process, all eligible applications were evaluated based on scoring criteria approved by the Trust Fund board. The panel recommends funding to state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions aimed at furthering access to public outdoor recreation.
This year, the board recommended $19.1 million for development project grants and $25.8 million for acquisition grants. Inside those amounts, there were 55 development grants totaling $17.7 million and 10 acquisition grants totaling almost $10.3 million recommended to be awarded to local units of government. In addition, five development projects totaling $1.4 million and five acquisition purchases totaling $15.6 million were recommended for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Of the acquisitions, two are in St. Clair County, with $174,000 recommended for the City of Yale for Mill Creek Waterfront acquisition, and $175,000 recommended to Kimball Township to acquire Black River access.
Of recommended projects, St. Clair County’s Port Huron had three grants recommended, each totalling $250,000, for projects concerning development at Knox Park, restrooms at Sanborn Park, and accessible play features at Lakeside Park. Lapeer County’s Imlay City had a $400,000 grant recommended for improvements of the Polly Ann trailhead, while Sanilac County’s Lexington Township was recommended to receive $240,900 for Cros-Lex Trail revitalization.
The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects.
The Trust Fund board’s recommendations will go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriations process. Upon approval, the Legislature will forward a bill to the governor for signing.
