Recreation Grants 2024
Since 2011, Spicer Group has written over 140 successful grants totaling over $45 million in funding assistance for a variety of recreation-related projects.
We are excited for the following communities who received notification in 2024 that their projects are receiving grant money to help fund their implementation. In 2024 Spicer assisted Michigan communities with $4,494,585 in grant funding awarded to trails, parks and recreation projects.
Ford Park - City of Northville
LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND
$500,000
Ford Field Park, Northville’s only community park, spans six acres and includes the city’s only baseball field as well as a 13,000-square-foot wooden play structure, walking paths, open lawn space, a kinetic rock sculpture, and a 64-space parking lot. Located within the Rouge River floodplain, the park is defined by a wooded northern edge, a steep embankment to the west, and the river to the east.
The proposed project would include a new amenity area between the parking lot and baseball field, featuring a restroom building with four all-gender stalls (one including an adult changing table), along with a shade structure, accessible picnic area, rain gardens, and wide walkways. The design emphasizes universal access through features like ADA-compliant picnic tables, benches with adjacent wheelchair spaces, and a drinking fountain with varied-height basins. The rain gardens will manage stormwater runoff and offer educational opportunities, while the shade structures provide flexible seating in sun or shade, enhancing comfort and inclusion for all park users.
Man Made Lake Acquisition - City of Manistee
MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND
$94,000
The City of Manistee proposes to acquire a 0.33-acre parcel located within the boundaries of Man-Made Lake Park. This riparian parcel, currently under private ownership, blocks direct access to Man-Made Lake and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Its acquisition will eliminate a critical gap in the park, providing uninterrupted public access and allowing future improvements such as trails, pavilions, and ADA-accessible viewing platforms.
Historically, access across this property has been restricted, with temporary fencing installed to deter public entry. Purchasing the parcel will open a direct connection from the existing parking area to both Man-Made Lake and Lake Michigan, supporting long-term recreation goals identified in the Manistee County Recreation Plan. The acquisition aligns with the County’s objectives to improve access to natural resources, enhance recreational opportunities, and ensure responsible stewardship of public lands.
Mason County Picnic Area Trail and Trailhead Improvements - Mason County
MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND
$400,000
Mason County aims to utilize the funding for a 5,808-linear-foot, 10-foot-wide paved, non-motorized trail that will provide universal access for walkers and bikers visiting the county campground, picnic area, disc golf course, and Hull Field radio control model aircraft area. The trail will be designed with accessible grades of 5% or less and includes accessible parking midway along the route. It also supports future regional trail connections to Pere Marquette Township and Oceana County.
The project includes two universally accessible trailheads—one along West Chauvez Road near the campground and Hull Field, and a second at the Lake Michigan shoreline picnic area, a popular birding location. Each trailhead features ADA parking, bike racks, benches, trash receptacles, and interpretive signage. Rain gardens with native plantings will manage stormwater runoff and provide educational opportunities. A scenic overlook at the shoreline will offer accessible views of Lake Michigan and bird habitats, supported by interpretive signage and three adjacent ADA parking spaces. The trail and its supporting infrastructure are designed to enhance recreation while preserving and interpreting the site’s natural features.
Liberty Harbor Marina Dock B Replacement - City of Bay City
DNR WATERWAYS PROGRAM GRANT
$495,000
Located at the north end of Veterans Memorial Park, Liberty Harbor Marina is a 100-slip public facility that plays a vital role in the City of Bay City’s recreational offerings. Dock B, one of the marina’s most heavily used docks, is 33 years old and in poor condition. To ensure continued safety and improve user experience, the City is proposing a full replacement of Dock B.
The City has been actively upgrading all of the docks at Libery Harbor Marina, receiving Waterway grants in 2022 for Dock D ($300,000) and 2023 for Dock C ($581,500).
The replacement will include approximately 6,032 square feet of dockage, an 8-foot by 30-foot aluminum gangway, a 354-foot head pier, a substation float with a 20-foot extension, and a total of 19 finger docks—each measuring 30 feet in length. The City plans to utilize Flotation Dock Systems, Inc. for this work, with construction expected to begin in fall 2025 and completion targeted ahead of the 2026 boating season.
Hayhoe Trail - Ingham County
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (MDOT TAP)
$2,505,585
Ingham County would like to complete the Hayhoe Trail from Holt to Mason. This phase includes a 1.5-mile section along Cedar, Hogsback, and Howell Roads, extending from College Road in Holt to Kearns Road in the City of Mason, crossing over the US-127 with a pedestrian bridge. This project is the final gap in the trail system, connecting Holt to Mason, and will provide a paved 10-foot-wide non-motorized path and a safe pedestrian crossing over the highway, providing a long-anticipated, secure connection for trail users from Lansing, East Lansing, Meridian Township, and beyond. It also offers an alternative transportation route adjacent to DART Container, a major employer in Ingham County.
Playscape Park - Saginaw Charter Township
LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND
$500,000
Saginaw Township plans to renovate the outdated and deteriorating playground at Playscape Park by replacing the existing pressure-treated wood structure with safer, low-maintenance equipment made from durable plastic and metal. A new poured-in-place rubber surface will replace the current mulch to enhance both safety and accessibility. The improvements will also include repaving the pathway from the parking lot to the playground, ensuring smooth, ADA-compliant access for children with mobility aids.
The redesigned playground will feature inclusive elements such as an accessible swing and transfer station, along with additional paved connections to picnic and rest areas throughout the 3.1-acre park. Located in a dense residential area near Lawndale Road and State Street (M-58), the project will improve year-round usability while preserving the park’s open green space for recreation and family activities.
