Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced nearly $2 million in Recreation Passport grants to be awarded to 16 communities for local community park projects and trails enhancement throughout the state.

The Village of Empire was awarded $150,000 with a village match of $50,000 (for a total project cost $200K). Among improvements coming to the village’s Shalda Park (formerly known as North Empire Park): a 1.6-mile universal access walking and biking path with an asphalt surface around the perimeter; additional handicapped accessible parking; fitness stations; and a picnic area to house ADA tables and grills. 

Shares Maggie Bacon, a trustee for the Village of Empire, “What this does is fill a gap in recreational opportunities. Everyone loves our beach, but this will allow for a four-season outdoor venue for seniors and youth to recreate along a uniformly accessible path.”

She adds many of the park improvements are specifically designed for residents to age in place. “We strive to be a walkable community, and a safer place for people to get in their steps.”

Fitness stations along the trail will include outdoor exercise equipment that was selected by a local physical therapist to accommodate wheelchair users, seniors, and those in physical therapy. The equipment is intended to provide functional fitness while improving overall strength, flexibility, coordination and heart health.  

Shalda Park is also home to the village’s baseball/softball/T-ball fields and tennis courts. The new path will surround these, plus offer views of the creek and scenic fields. 

Work will begin spring of 2022, “but given possible supply chain issues, it is difficult to estimate a completion date,” says Bacon. The grant allows for up to two years for completion. 

This year’s Recreation Passport grant-funded projects were approved in Arenac, Benzie, Berrien, Charlevoix, Huron, Ingham, Leelanau, Marquette, Montmorency, Sanilac, St. Clair, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties.

Bacon notes that when the state came back with some deficiencies in the grant proposal, “our clerk Derith Smith and our deputy clerk Alacia Acton then took us from 140 points to 190 points, essentially seeing it through to the finish line.”

Aerial photo of Empire courtesy Village at M-22.