News
$4.5 million in grants awarded for Access to Recreation
14 Midwest communities will provide universal recreation to residents
Grand Haven, Mich. – Fourteen community foundations in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio have been awarded $4.5 million in matching grants to enhance and expand recreational facilities into fully accessible opportunities for people of all abilities.The money is part of the $15 million Access to Recreation project that began last year in Michigan. The grants, announced today by the Midwest Community Foundation Ventures (MCFV) board of directors, encourage the foundations to work with local community partners on the projects.
The funded projects include accessible splash pads and playgrounds, fishing piers, sensory gardens and accessible nature trails with interpretative signage. Each has a goal of providing citizens of all abilities with opportunities to enjoy the many recreational activities and adventures available.
MI/OH CEO Presentation
MI/OH CEO Pwerpoint Presentation from February 2008. 
Issues of the Environment with David Fair
YPSILANTI, MI 2008-02-27 Click on the audio icon to hear Issues of the Environment from WEMU, featuring the Director of the Access to Recreation initiative, Cindy Burkhour.
© Copyright 2008, wemu
Ludington State Park Trail Improvements Scheduled
State recreation officials today announced construction of the final segment of the Sable River Trail will begin later this month at Ludington State Park. When the new quarter-mile, paved segment is completed next spring, the trail will provide a one-mile accessible loop along the Big Sable River from the park’s visitor center to Hamlin Dam.
“We are really excited about this project,” said Warren Mullen, Ludington State Park manager. “The trail’s paved, hard-packed and boardwalk surfaces will provide a universally accessible trail for people of all abilities, and include great viewing and better fishing opportunities along the Big Sable River. It also will help prevent erosion.”
The improvements are being made through a Recreational Trails Program Grant from the DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division. For additional information, contact Warren Mullen at (231) 843-2423.
The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state‚s natural resources for current and future generations.
Contact:
Warren Mullen (231) 843-2423 or Ann Wilson (517) 335-3014
Midwest Community Foundation Ventures awards nearly $1 million in support of public recreation projects that provide universal accessibility
Grand Haven, MI – Three Michigan community foundations have been awarded matching grants that will allow them to work with local community partners to enhance and expand recreational facilities into fully accessible venues for people of all abilities. Recipients of the grants, awarded by the $15 million Access to Recreation project, include: Lapeer County Community Foundation, Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, and The Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
Projects to be funded through the grants range from a canoe/kayak launch with a wheelchair transfer system to a barrier-free treehouse to accessible trails with interpretative signage – all planned with the goal that all citizens be able to enjoy Michigan’s many recreational activities and adventures. In addition to new and enhanced recreation facilities, each community will develop and fund an Access to Recreation endowment to strengthen and expand their commitment to universal accessibility.
These projects will join those currently being built in five Michigan communities that received grant funding in 2006. Community foundations that received funding in 2006 include the Greenville Community Foundation, Monroe Community Foundation, Midland Area Community Foundation, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
“We are excited that these community foundations will be leading the way to achieve our collective goal of making accessible recreation available for all,” said Rob Collier, CMF and MCFV president. “We expect that these communities will provide a road map that will be used not only by Michigan communities, but other Midwest states as well.”
Access to Recreation, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and coordinated by the Midwest Community Foundation Ventures (MCFV), will provide a combination of challenge grants, technical assistance, and public education, resulting in recreation facilities that exceed current ADA standards. Project partners include the Michigan Recreation and Park Association Foundation (MRPA), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Midwest Community Foundations’ Ventures (MCFV), a supporting organization of the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF).
The Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) is a membership association of over 400 foundations and corporations making grants for charitable purposes, with a mission to strengthen, increase and promote philanthropy in Michigan. For more information on CMF and the work of Michigan foundations visit www.cmif.org.
Midwest Community Foundations’ Ventures (MCFV) supports collaborative activities by 135 community foundations operating in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio—nearly 16% of such foundations nationwide.