To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Patrick Linihan, Parks and Recreation Director
title
RE: Approval of a request by Genesee County's Parks & Recreation Commission to apply for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant, in the amount of $80,000.00, to provide for an Educational Dock Development at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum; this grant requires a 26% match; no use of general fund
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Genesee County Parks and Recreation staff requests the approval to apply for a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) to develop an educational dock at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum for purposes of public education. Grant Amount Requested: $80,000.00.
BACKGROUND:
For-Mar currently has a dock, originally built with the development of the facility, that needs to be replaced. This project includes developing a dock with accessibility features on the same pond, but at a different location that will support future opportunities to increase accessibility in the park. The dock will be used for public programming and educational opportunities.
DISCUSSION:
This grant requires a 26% match from local sources.
NO USE OF GENERAL FUND.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
No impact on budget - grant application.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This project conforms to County priorities, specifically supporting Healthy Livable & Safe Communities; offering opportunities to promote environmental stewardship through public programming and education, increased communication of resources and services available to our residents and visitors of Genesee County, and by increasing recreational and educational opportunities to promote public health to create safer and healthier residents.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is accepting grant applications; and
WHEREAS, grant funds could provide park improvements, including the development of an educational dock within For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum, improving educational and recreational opportunities providing by Genesee County Parks facilities; and
WHEREAS, Genesee County, as the grant recipient/applicant, would be required to commit a local match from its own resource to support any confirmed funds, with a twenty-six percent (26%) match of the total project cost requirement, totaling $29,000.00, to be funded by the Genesee County Parks and Recreation budget and local sources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Parks and Recreation Director to authorize submitting an application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for a grant, in the amount of $80,000.00, to fund park improvements and to improve educational and recreational opportunities within For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request being on file with the official records of the March 11, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board).