| Those interested in the development of a new state park in Flint are encouraged to attend a public open house Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Mott Park Clubhouse ,in Flint.
Up to $30.2 million was designated in March for the development of a state park in Flint. The funds were made available as part of $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds dedicated to support Michigan state parks and trails. These ARPA funds are included in a $4.8 billion infrastructure package laid out in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan. Once completed, the new park will become Michigan’s 104th state park and the first state park in Genesee County. “The development of a new state park or outdoor recreation facility in Genesee County has been on our radar for some time, especially because one of the chief goals of Michigan’s Blue Ribbon Park Plan is to establish state parks in major urban areas,” said DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson. “The availability of ARPA funding was key to gaining momentum on this project,” Olson added. “We’re very excited to create an outdoor space that will be a destination for outdoor and river-based recreation.” The proposed 234-acre state park will be situated along a stretch of the Flint River, sized at approximately 3 miles east to west and more than 1.5 miles north to south. Given its location and existing, unique architectural features, the park will be a key element of the redevelopment of the Flint Riverfront area. The new state park is envisioned to include Chevy Commons, Mott Park Recreation Area, Riverbank Park, Vietnam Veterans Park, Happy Hollow Nature Area and existing trails, along with other lands along the Flint River available through collaborations with Genesee County, the City of Flint, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and potential donors. The proposed plan will have five park units and three trail connections, which would provide nonmotorized access throughout the park and easy access to surrounding neighborhoods, universities, community anchors and the Iron Belle Trail. “I’m grateful that Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have prioritized this resource for Flint,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “This is an investment in the health, safety and quality of life of Flint families who will have new opportunities to enjoy nature,” Neeley added. “We can expect positive environmental, social and even economic impacts—not only through the jobs the park will create, but also through the economic development it will attract as a recreational anchor for our city.” |
Open house, feedback details
Those interested in the project are welcome to attend the Oct. 4 public open house. It will run 3 to 7 p.m. at the Mott Park Clubhouse, 2701 Nolen Drive, in Flint. People may stop in at any time to get information and share their ideas.
After the meeting, the proposed design concept will be available at Michigan.gov/StateParksProgress. People can send comments to DNR-ParksAndRecreation@Michigan.gov through Oct. 25. Please put “FLINT STATE PARK” in the subject line.
