DNR recently approves nearly $2 million in Recreation Passport grant funding

MARQUETTE COUNTY — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently approved nearly $2 million in Recreation Passport grant funding.

Funding for this program is derived from sales of Michigan’s Recreation Passport. This passport is required for vehicle entry into 103 state parks and recreation areas, 140 state forest campgrounds, hundreds of miles of state trails, historic sites, hundreds of boating access sites and other outdoor spaces.

The $1,993,500 will be shared by 18 communities across the state for local park improvement projects. These will include playground development and renovations, sports and fitness facility development and improvements, trail and walkway development and park improvements.

“The Recreation Passport is just that,” said John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer for the DNR. “It’s your passport to recreation to visiting parks, campgrounds and all different state facilities that are available. The fee for the passport is nominal compared to the amount of return that you get.”

The Recreation Passport was introduced in 2010, with grant funding nearly doubling in the past five years.