EAST LANSING, Mich. – The City of East Lansing has been awarded three Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grants through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to be used for park land acquisition and improvements.

The City received a $262,500 MNRTF grant to be used for improvements to Hawk Nest Park. The improvements will include installation of a playground and picnic pavilion, construction of a one-third mile spur of the Northern Tier Trail, installation of new, accessible walkways and re-vegetation of the site to promote the growth of diverse natural habitats. The City has committed to matching the $262,500 MNRTF grant with $87,500 to complete the $350,000 project.

The City received a $429,000 MNRTF grant and a $65,800 MNRTF grant for the acquisition of land adjacent to White Memorial Park. The City will use the $429,000 MNRTF grant to acquire 2.93 acres of land from the White Family Trust for the future expansion of the park. The expansion will provide a location for a trailhead/park entry plaza and space for additional connections to the Northern Tier Trail. The White Family Trust has agreed to sell the land at 75 percent of its appraised value, resulting in a 25 percent in-kind donation. The City will use the $65,800 MNRTF grant to acquire 1.75 acres of land from the St. Paul Lutheran Church on Lake Lansing Road for the future provision of pedestrian access to the park from the north. The church body voted to sell the property to the City at 75 percent of its appraised value, resulting in a 25 percent in-kind donation.

“Through assistance from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and in-kind donations from the White Family Trust and the St. Paul Lutheran Church we are able to acquire more lands for public outdoor recreation, while also funding improvements and additions to the public amenities already present at the two park sites,” said East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation & Arts Director Timothy McCaffrey. “Outdoor recreation for our community members continues to be a priority for the City. This funding will help to improve the quality of life in our community substantially.”