The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund announced their recommended projects to be funded for 2010.

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Board of Trustees on Wednesday recommended to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm that 67 recreation projects and land acquisitions totaling $35.7 million be funded in 2010. The board this year had considered 175 applications for development and acquisition projects totaling $108.3 million, which were competitively evaluated based on scoring criteria developed by the Board.

“Our natural resources help set Michigan apart from other states, and the work of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has made it possible to protect and acquire some of our most scenic lands and unique natural areas,” Granholm said. “These recommendations will allow all who live in and visit our state to further enjoy Michigan’s magnificent natural and recreational areas.”

We’d recently mentioned this upcoming decision. We also didn’t understand why the Wixom/Walled Lake/Commerce Michigan Airline rail-trail project was not listed. The DNR ruled the project ineligible until it can prove it has the required matching funds. (The Trust Fund does not cover 100% of a project’s cost.) It’s expected that this project will be resubmitted for next year’s grant funding.

Here are the final recommendations for trail-related projects within the Seven-county region.

Development Projects

Pittsfield Township (Washtenaw County), Hickory Woods Park Development, $300,000. These funds would support development of multi-use trails, storm water bio- swales and wet meadow, pond restoration, interpretative signage, a restroom building, access road and parking area.

DNR, Parks and Recreation Division, William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor East Riverwalk (Wayne County), $450,000. These funds would be used to construct the final connection of the Detroit East Riverwalk through the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor in downtown Detroit.

Wayne County, Elizabeth Park Riverwalk, Northpointe, $400,000. Development includes stabilization of the shoreline along the Detroit River and construction of the Northpointe Riverwalk in Elizabeth Park.

White Lake Township (Oakland County), Bloomer Park Development, $350,000. This project includes development of parking facilities, a fishing platform and observation deck overlooking Grass Lake, a boardwalk and trails.

Land Acquisition

Northville Township (Wayne County), Linear Park Acquisition, Phase I, $4 million. These funds would be used to acquire 51.01 acres to create a linear park connecting the former Northville State Hospital property with the Wayne County Hines Parkway system. This would acquire and preserve a 200-year old growth forest and link to the Southeast Michigan Greenways Network. The county originally requested $7,053,700, and the board indicated it would consider recommending the balance of the grant request in 2010.

DNR-Executive Office, Southeast Michigan Eco-Region Acquisitions, $3.8 million. These funds would be used to acquire critical in-holdings in existing state parks, recreation areas, state game areas, state harbors and natural river areas. The funding includes $3.3 million for the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor’s second phase, and $500,000 for other regional acquisitions. [Ed: We are not clear on what land the DNR will acquire for Milliken State Park, but we will find out.]

City of Rochester Hills (Oakland County), Sheldon-Mead Greenspace Acquisition, $510,000. This project would acquire 39 acres of property along Sheldon and Mead roads for greenspace preservation. It would help secure sensitive wetlands, woodlands and provide greenway connectivity.

Addision Township (Oakland County) Lake George Nature Park Acquisition, $428,000. These funds would support acquisition of rights in land for an 82-acre property to allow public access to the natural and water resources of a passive recreation nature park.

DNR-Parks and Recreation Division, Pinckney State Recreation Area Land Consolidation, $415,391. These funds would support the acquisition of up to 500 acres of land from more than 20 property owners for land consolidation in the Pinckney State Recreation Area.

Fort Gratiot Township (St. Clair County), Parker Road Park Expansion, $100,000. These funds would support acquisition of approximately 20 acres of land for the expansion of the Parker Road Park to allow the balance of a pond to become a park facility and to provide for future extension of the Bridge-to-Bay Trail.

Tags: Addison, Detroit, Fort Gratiot, Funding, Grants, Michigan Airline, Natural Resources Trust Fund, Northpointe, Northville, Pinckney, Pittsfield, Rochester Hills, Trails, White Lake, William Milliken State Park

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