There was some good news last week relative to anyone who enjoys recreating outdoors or people who just like spending an afternoon at the park.

A pair of Marquette County parks will benefit from Michigan Department of Natural Resources funding this year.

Specifically, the Tourist Park day-use and access road and parking area in the city of Marquette was recommended to receive $250,000 while the Michigamme Township Park dock access and tennis renovation is expected to receive $183,200.

The DNR and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the recommendation of 13 community parks overall, trails, sports facilities, and a state lock and dam to receive at total of nearly $7.5 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants.

A recent Mining Journal story on the matter had details and this quote from DNR Director Dan Eichinger:

“Access to the outdoors is vital to the quality of life for everyone who lives here or visits here. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, in addition to other important grant programs, broadens that access in meaningful ways, whether through expanded hiking trails, increased public water access, or better amenities like restroom renovations and welcoming pavilions at local parks. These grants are integral to connecting more people to our state’s uniquely Michigan outdoor experiences.”

All very true.

We look forward to area recreation experiences improving because of these wise expenditures.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette