To: Brian K. Flewelling, Public Works Committee Chairperson
From: Patrick Linihan, Parks and Recreation Director
title
RE: Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in the amount of $379,541.00, to provide programming at Genesee County's State Park; the budget for this agreement is attached
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Genesee County Parks and Recreation staff requests the approval of an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marketing & Outreach Division to provide interpretive programming at the State Park in Flint.
BACKGROUND:
Michigan DNR approached Parks staff for consideration of urban youth programming, specifically in the State Park area. Parks staff will provide Nature Awaits programming and public programming year-round, including Stepping Stones urban youth programming.
Stepping Stones is a free outdoor education program aimed at fostering confidence, environmental awareness and appreciation for nature, for ages 9 and older. Activities would include fishing, paddle sports, nature exploration, and water studies.
Nature Awaits is Michigan’s fourth grade state park field trip program. The goal of this program is to connect with all 4th grade classes in the area to attend an environmental education experience at the State Park in Flint, focusing on meeting 4th grade curriculum standards including science, social studies, physical fitness and language arts through experimental learning outdoors. The program aims to make sure Michigan’s kids learn that our state parks are for everyone, and that a lifetime of spending time outdoors is good for physical and mental health.
DISCUSSION:
Michigan DNR will fund up to $379,541.00 for the first year of administration and supervision of the programming and services. $229,541.00 is earmarked for staffing expenses, including the addition of one (1) full-time Park Naturalist, and $150,000.00 is earmarked for program supplies and rentals.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
NO USE OF GENERAL FUND.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Approval of this agreement promotes public health to create safer and healthier residents, promotes safe communities, supports collaboration with area schools and agencies, and communicates available resources and services to our residents.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Parks and Recreation Director to authorize entering into an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marketing & Outreach Division, for the purpose of developing a collaborative relationship to bring interpretive programming to the State Park in Flint, whereby the state will provide funding in the amount of $379,541.00 to be deposited into account 2088-800.00-558.000, for the period commencing July 23, 2025, through July 23, 2026, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the July 16, 2025 meeting of the Public Works Committee of this Board), both the Parks Director and the Chairperson of this Board are authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of Genesee County, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed, as necessary, to amend the budget lines associated with this project.