Fourteen Oakland County communities, including Novi, have been awarded a total of $1.15 million in 2022 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission Community Grants. These grants will assist municipalities with planning, preliminary engineering/design and construction costs directly related to local park improvement and trail projects.
 
Funding for the grants was made possible through support from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and Oakland County voters, who approved an increased millage levy to support the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission. This initiative will be reviewed on an annual basis to determine grant funding availability and procedures.
 
The City of Novi was awarded $100,000 for development of its 10-acre Northwest Park. The project includes crushed aggregate trails, a nature-themed play area, parking lot improvements and prairie restoration.
 
“Residents and visitors alike enjoy the benefits that Novi's parks offer on a regular basis.” Oakland County Commissioner Gwen Markham (D-Novi) said. “Being outdoors offers much-needed respite from the stresses of everyday life. The Board of Commissioners is committed to this new program that helps fund parks projects in local communities. Congratulations to Novi Parks and Recreation for winning this award for our newest park in Northwest Novi.”
 
Jeffrey A. Muck, Director Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services for the City of Novi, was pleased to hear the news following the April 6 OCPR Commission meeting where the grant recipients were announced.
 
“The City of Novi thanks the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for being selected as a 2022 Community Grant recipient. Grant funds will be utilized to assist in the development of Northwest Park and help us reach our goal of ensuring all residents have a park, school playground or common area within a 10-minute walk (0.5 mile) of their residence. We look forward to seeing this brand-new, nature-based park benefit our residents for years to come,” he said.
 
OCPR Director Chris Ward said the grants will fund projects that directly benefit residents through increased accessibility, added recreation opportunities and investment in local neighborhoods.
 
“The pandemic has given us all a renewed appreciation for our parks and green spaces. These grants are a great way to stretch limited tax dollars to make a big difference,” he said.
 
The online competitive application process for the OCPR Community Grant Program opened last November. Applications were open to all the county’s 62 cities, villages and townships with a minimum 25 percent grant match.
 
“Improving access to parks and trails is a great investment in public health and well-being. Oakland County Parks is pleased to work with our local government partners to make these great projects a reality,” Oakland County Parks and Recreation Chairman Gary R. McGillivray said.
 
The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is dedicated to providing all residents quality recreation experiences that encourage healthy lifestyles, support economic prosperity, promote the protection of natural resources. For more information about the Community Grants, visit OaklandCountyParks.com.
 
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