LANSING — State Rep. Andy Schor (D-Lansing) announced today that the Michigan House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 76, which bill allocates $67,500 dollars from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to Lansing. It matches $22,500 committed from the city of Lansing, for a total of $90,000, and will be used for land acquisition to bolster Lansing parks and waterfront.
Schor said, “I am proud to support legislation that will increase Lansing’s ability to offer parks, greenspace and waterfront opportunities to Lansing residents and visitors. The Natural Resources Trust Fund was created to assist communities and our residents, and I am happy that we were able to bring these dollars back to Lansing.”
The legislation and dollars allow for the acquisition of a 9 acre parcel located on the Grand River. The riverfront parcel will connect with Hunter’s Ridge Park and Fulton Park, both adjacent to the parcel. The acquisition will enable the construction of a non-motorized trail extension as well as providing numerous possible landing sites for watercraft users on the Grand River.
The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) was established in 1976 to use the royalties paid by companies to extract oil and gas from state-owned land to purchase land and improve already owned land for natural resources protection and outdoor recreation. Local units of government are among those who can apply, and they must match at least 25 percent of the project costs.
“Our area parks and green spaces are part of what creates a better quality of life for Lansing residents,” said Schor. “It’s part of the broader place making that we know is important to retain current residents and attract new ones. I’m happy the Natural Resources Trust Fund Board saw the value of this project and included it on the list for funding, and I was proud to support this in the House of Representatives. It’s a great win for the Lansing community.”