$3.5M in state grant funding coming to Washtenaw County for parks and recreation projects

By Ryan J. Stanton Political Reporter

Posted on Thu, Dec 8, 2011 : 11:50 a.m.

Washtenaw County came out a big winner on Wednesday as state officials announced nearly $3.5 million in grant funding for five local projects.

Nearly $40 million in grant awards from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund were announced statewide, and 8.7 percent of the money went to Washtenaw County, providing funding for major projects in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

In all, nearly 100 projects statewide are receiving funding.

Bob Tetens, the county's director of parks and recreation, offered an overview of the five local grant awards during Wednesday's county board meeting.

$300,000 for barrier-free access to Ann Arbor's Gallup Park Canoe Livery on the Huron River, along with energy improvements, barrier-free docks for boating and fishing, patio area, and building and trail improvements.
$2.28 million for the county's Arbor Vistas Preserve project for acquisition of 54.17 acres of urban nature area that will connect two nature preserves.
$300,000 for the Rutherford Pool renovation project in Ypsilanti.
$300,000 for the Ann Arbor Skatepark project at Veterans Memorial Park in Ann Arbor.
$289,400 for the Ypsilanti Heritage Bridge project for a pedestrian bridge and fishing pier over the Huron River under Michigan Avenue.

Tags: Bob Tetens, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

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Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.