A state board awarded $31 million dollars Wednesday to buy or improve properties for public recreation in Michigan. Several of the grants are slated for the Grand Traverse area.
The state would spend up to $2.5 million dollars to buy just over eight acres at the northeast tip of the Old Mission Peninsula. The former private campground and marina would be developed into a boat launch that Peninsula Township has agreed to maintain.
“The recreational resources that we have in northern Michigan help drive our economy. It’s one of the reasons why people come here to work and vacation,” says Matt McDonough of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
Another grant would expand Bowers Harbor Park on Old Mission by nearly 60 acres. And a million dollar award would add a parcel that contains five small lakes to state forest land near the VASA Trail in Grand Traverse County.
Jon Mayes, who oversees recreation grants for the Department of Natural Resources, says he’s excited about 240 acres along Dair Creek in Benzie County that would add opportunities for hunting and fishing, “as well as just plain nature appreciation,” he says. “That’s just a wonderful property and it certainly would be nice if that application gets completed.”
The monies still must be approved by the legislature and appraisals have to be accepted by the willing sellers.
Bob Allen reports on a variety of issues that reflect the changes and challenges that affect northern Michigan including rapid population growth in a region of unsurpassed natural beauty. Bob has often noted that he is proud inform and enrich lives in the local community by presenting an array of fine programming through Interlochen Public Radio.