Great Lakes Wire

Michigan's state parks will soon get much-needed funding for improvement and the addition of another state park thanks to a historic investment through the Building Michigan Together Plan.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) signed the bill into law in late March. The bill earmarked $250 million for improvements to existing state parks plus the addition of a 104th in Flint at Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, according to a press release from the governor's office.

"State parks around the nation are serving an increasing number of visitors while facing ongoing operational challenges that stretch resources to the limit," Ron Olson, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Parks and Recreation Division, said in the release. "A record investment of this magnitude will help state parks reach new audiences, especially in great places like Flint, where a new park will energize the riverfront, create more diverse recreation opportunities, and deliver high-quality programs and services. It's also gratifying progress because one of the chief goals of Michigan’s Blue Ribbon Park Plan was to establish state parks in major urban areas.”

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neely called the investment "a great opportunity to revitalize an area in our community that will remain free and open to all Flint residents," the press release said.

"The city of Flint is known for its beautiful parks throughout the community that offer activity spaces for our families," Neeley said. "We appreciate the state of Michigan’s investment in turning Chevy Commons into the first and only state park in Genesee County. I’m happy to work with Gov. Whitmer to lift this effort into reality."

Dominique Clemons, chairperson of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, said adding the state park was critical for economic development in the area and would have a profound impact on the future of the county.

"I am excited for this investment into our community that will have a transformational impact and will pave the way toward building a brighter future for Genesee County," Clemons said.

Kimberly Leverette, executive director of Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, noted that through a partnership with the MDNR's Summer Youth Program, hundreds of teenagers in the area have been able to learn more about career paths in outdoor recreation and natural resources conservation. 

"A new state park at Chevy Commons will bring more opportunities to pursue, such as jobs and a wide breadth of recreational activities to experience," Leverette said in the press release. "This is a huge win for not only our employment program but also our community and economy."