Approximately two miles from the shores of Lake Huron lies the Au Gres River and the location of a planned multi-use family park. After acquiring the property from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the City of Au Gres formed a plan for redevelopment as a recreation destination for area visitors and local families alike.
This multi-year project will include the addition of a farmer’s market pavilion, playscape, kayak launch, fishing pier, and safety railings. This spring, the Bay Area Community Foundation awarded them a grant of $75,000 to add a splash pad to the park. This funding comes as a match alongside multiple grants from other organizations.
The City of Au Gres will complete the splash pad in the spring of 2020 for the public to enjoy. While they are still determining the exact features that will be included, they have shared that they would like it to be enjoyable by all ages and not just small children.
This year, the Healthy Living Fund also awarded to the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail, to connect Bay City’s Riverwalk/Railtrail system with Zilwaukee’s, and to the City of Bay City for a fitness zone at Maplewood Park.
I am proud to serve my community through my role at BACF. As a Program Officer, I collaborate with nonprofit, government, church, and school partners in Bay and Arenac counties to navigate our grant opportunities and find the right funding alignment. From project conception to post-award, I am your main contact for all things grants. Connecting organizations and donors who share the same vision and passion is at the heart of my work.
