MARQUETTE, MI— Michigan Department of Natural Resources director Dan Eichinger is hoping lawmakers soon appropriate money to update state parks and recreation areas.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants to use $250 million in federal relief funds to address a years-long backlog of infrastructure projects in the state parks system. Eichinger says parks have seen a nearly 30-percent increase in visitors during the pandemic.
“So in 2019, before the pandemic, in a typical year we would welcome 26, 27 million people through the front gate. In 2020 and 2021 that number moved up to like 35, 36 million people through the front gates.”
Another proposal would designate $150 million for municipal parks and recreation areas.
“So we’ve got a big downstroke for the state parks with the 250 million and then a game-changing 150 million for your favorite city, county or township park that you also like to visit.”
Eichinger says the money is also an economic development investment in small towns that depend on tourism.
It’s now up to the state Legislature to appropriate the funding.
