LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Roger Victory on Wednesday supported approval of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund projects for 2021, including five projects in Ottawa County.
The trust fund is supported by interest earned on funds generated from the development of state-owned mineral rights.
“Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund was created to invest constitutionally restricted funds into preserving our natural resources and giving Michigan families and tourists more and better access to our great outdoors,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville. “These outstanding projects would improve outdoor recreation opportunities for the good people of Ottawa County at existing local parks and preserve additional resources for future public use.”
House Bill 4469 would authorize the trust fund to use $37.8 million to support 30 acquisition projects and 46 recreational development projects throughout the state. Matching funds of almost $47.2 million would bring the total investment to nearly $85 million.
Ottawa County would receive grants for three land acquisitions. It would get a $246,300 grant toward a $328,400 acquisition of 15 acres adjacent to the existing Hofma Park and Preserve for a future northern entrance and direct access to the nonmotorized trail system and $95,000 toward a $225,000 purchase of a 28-acre property with 1,986 feet frontage along Stearns Creek.
The county would also get $504,700 to help with a $1,030,000 acquisition of a 194-acre former gravel mine to expand the existing Bend Area Open Space and help complete a long-term plan of creating a 700-acre park in the county’s most populous community. Once complete, it will include opportunities for swimming, hiking, cycling, picnicking, fishing and paddling.
Two communities in Ottawa County would also receive funding for development projects.
Grand Haven Charter Township would get $300,000 toward a $862,400 project to develop a new trail network at the 566-acre Hofma Park and Preserve, including nearly three miles of multiuse and hiking trails, boardwalk, parking, native landscaping and an observation deck.
The village of Spring Lake would receive $300,000 toward a $647,500 project to transform and expand the use of Tanglefoot Park from an RV park used six months a year by a limited number of visitors to a year-round community waterfront park and trailhead. The improvements would include a canoe/kayak launch, overlooks, fire pit, rain gardens, landscaping and parking.
###