Buena Vista Charter Township and The City of Saginaw has received a combined $1,753,800 in grant funding through the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF)/Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Spark Grant Program. Buena Vista Charter Township will receive $891,300 to revitalize Kueffner Park and the City of Saginaw will receive $862,500 to enhance the Iron Belle Trail.
The Saginaw Community Foundation was presented with the unique opportunity of walking alongside Buena Vista Charter Township and the City of Saginaw after they were selected by the DNR as opportunity communities in the CMF/DNR Spark grant program. This innovative public-private partnership created a path to expand access to recreation spaces and programs for communities that have been historically under-represented and under-resourced.
The expectations for opportunity communities and their local community foundation partners were to embed equity and community engagement in all stages of the project planning, execution and activation process.
Buena Vista Charter Township will use the grant funds to renovate many aspects of Kueffner Park, responding to resident feedback and addressing longstanding issues. The project will involve the removal of obsolete equipment, installation of a new pavilion and playground, and improvements to parking and lighting. Additionally, efforts will include landscape design, native planting, and wetland restoration in the southern portion of the park. This multifaceted initiative aims to provide new recreational opportunities while preserving the park's natural beauty.
“We are excited to receive this funding in order to enhance our community's recreational experience. I am grateful for everyone's ideas, input and effort that got us to this point, and I am confident that these developments will aid in our efforts and vision to further improve the quality of life for the residents,” said Torrie Lee, superintendent, Buena Vista Charter Township.
The City of Saginaw will use the grant funds to update sections of the Iron Belle Trail. The key section to be improved is 3,600 feet of trail from Wickes Park Drive to Ojibway Island Drive. Additionally, the trailhead parking lot at Wickes Park Drive and Ezra Rust Drive will be resurfaced. These improvements will support the continuous accessible pathway along the Saginaw River.
“We are thrilled to put this grant funding to work improving our recreation experiences for our community and its residents,” said Travis Hare, city engineer, City of Saginaw. “I am thankful for everyone's thoughts and input in assisting with crafting our grant application. Our community will benefit for many years to come with the enhancements to our riverfront recreation areas.”
“We are grateful for the leadership of the Saginaw Community Foundation, Buena Vista Charter Township, and the City of Saginaw in walking alongside residents throughout this visioning, planning and application process,” said Kyle Caldwell, president & CEO, CMF. “This project is a powerful example of what is possible when funders support community voices in creating equity-centered solutions to expanding healthy recreational opportunities for all.”
“Centering local voices, particularly those who are closest to the issues, and ensuring they are among the decision-makers for designing solutions for our collective community is core to who we are as a community foundation,” said Reneé Johnston, president & CEO, Saginaw Community Foundation. “We are proud to have joined Buena Vista Charter Township and the City of Saginaw in listening to and learning as we all dreamed about what recreational assets might be possible, and we celebrate with them on this transformational investment.”
For more information regarding Buena Vista Charter Township’s project, contact Duane Fairris, director of parks and recreation, at dfairris@bvct.org. To learn more about Buena Vista Charter Township, visit www.bvct.org.
For more information regarding the City of Saginaw’s project, contact Travis Hare, city engineer, at (989) 759-1410.