The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) of the Great Lakes recently announced close to $185,000 in grants to coastal communities and organizations to create and improve water trails in the Great Lakes.
This is the second phase of grants that focus on increasing accessibility, promoting trails, linking local and regional recreation trails systems, and educating trail visitors about proper use. The initial phase provided $342,141 to water trails along the Great Lakes shoreline.
Organizations receiving awards include: The City of South Haven, which will install a paved pathway and floating launch with handrails and rollers to assist boaters with physical limitations, as well as add an accessible boat drop-off area and designated access parking spaces; Saginaw Bay Resource, Conservation and Development Area Inc. received two water trails grants for water trail construction and marketing materials; St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission received a grant to host a “field day” for National Water Trail leaders, the Southeast Michigan Water Trails Consortium, water trail grant recipients, and various water trail recreation agencies; and the Land Information Access Association received a grant to help up to 10 communities leverage their trail assets for community and economic development.
For more information, visit michigan.gov/deq.
