Environment
Trust fund requests would add land and improve parks
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By ERIC FREEDMAN
Capital News Service
LANSING – From the Upper Peninsula to Ottawa County and from Southeast Michigan to St. Joseph County, local governments and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are lining up for funds to acquire new parkland and recreation sites. For example, applicants this fall are seeking $18.7 million from the Natural Resources Trust Fund to buy property around the state. That includes $276,500 to buy 40 privately owned acres bordering Hofma Park and Preserve in Ottawa County’s Grand Haven Township. Township manager Bill Cargo said the Grand Rapids Roman Catholic Diocese is selling the property, half of which is high-quality wetlands that provides habitat for species of concern such as the Eastern box turtle.