Total program grant funds since 2011 top $22 million
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that 15 communities will share $1,920,100 in Recreation Passport grants for local public recreation projects.
The grants awarded will fund a range of projects, including improvements at the Charlton Park boating access site in Barry County, the Newstrom Park accessible pathway loop in Fruitland Township in Muskegon County and the Diggins Hill Park sensory playground in the City of Cadilac in Wexford County.
“The Recreation Passport remains one of the best values in outdoor recreation anywhere in the United States,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen. “Beyond providing annual public access to dozens of state parks, trailheads, state forest campgrounds and boating access sites, 10% of the proceeds from each $14 Recreation Passport help fund state park improvements and maintenance and grants to communities for additional local park improvement projects.”
The DNR’s Recreation Passport grant program began in 2010 with the goal of boosting visitation and funding for Michigan state parks. The Recreation Passport is a $14 annual pass required for access to 103 state parks and recreation areas, more than 140 state forest campgrounds, Michigan historic sites, hundreds of boating access sites and thousands of miles of trails.
Ten percent of the proceeds from Recreation Passport sales are granted to communities across the state for development and improvement of local public recreation facilities.
The Recreation Passport replaced the DNR’s traditional annual motor vehicle permit for state park access with a purchase program tied to the renewal of license plate registrations.
Beyond the money allocated for Recreation Passport grants, revenue from sales of Recreation Passports supports operations, infrastructure and historic and cultural assets in Michigan’s state parks and recreation system.
View projects recommended for funding for this year’s Recreation Passport grant awards. Counties where funded grant projects have been approved include Allegan, Barry, Branch, Clinton, Genesee, Ingham, Leelanau, Macomb, Muskegon, St. Clair and Wexford.
Selected projects were scored and selected from a field of 57 grant applications seeking a total of $7.2 million in funding.
With the announcement of this year’s recipients, the Recreation Passport grant program has awarded a total of $22.3 million statewide.
The application period for the next round of Recreation Passport grant funding opens in early 2026, with applications due April 1. Learn more about the program and application materials at Michigan.gov/DNRGrants.
Approximately 97% of state parks funding for operations and maintenance is generated by user fees and royalty revenues. This includes:
- 48% from camping and lodging reservation fees.
- 29% from Recreation Passport sales.
- 11% from state-owned, oil, gas, and mineral royalty revenues, which feed the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund.
- 9% from common cash interest earnings, concessions and shelter reservations and miscellaneous sources.
Michigan’s General Fund tax dollars provide the remaining 3% of state parks funding.
Questions? Call the DNR Grants Management Section at 517-284-7268 or email DNR-Grants@Michigan.gov.
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