Connecting Communities Grants

Connecting Communities is a grant program that provides supplemental funding for the development of non-motorized trails or similar projects.

Projects should support the Parks and Recreation Commission's primary goal of providing valuable, non-motorized connections between communities and activity centers thus offering a healthy alternative for recreation, transportation, fitness, and energy conservation.

Non-motorized trail along Baker Road in Northfield Township

Eligibility

The program is open to all municipalities and public entities in Washtenaw County. 

Eligible Projects

How To Apply

WCPARC is taking pre-proposal applications for the 2019 grant cycle until June 30, 2019. 

Unlike previous rounds, interested applicants must submit a pre-proposal form to be eligible for funding. Once pre-proposals are reviewed, staff will meet with applicants to discuss project details. Afterwards, applicants may be invited to submit a grant application, which will be provided after the meeting. All projects will be scored on a competitive basis based on limited funding.  Projects awarded funding will be announced in the fall.

Pre-Proposal Form - Package

For more information, please call WCPARC staff at (734) 971-6337.  

Connecting Communities Background

The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) is a proponent of the development of non-motorized trails within the community.  In order to maximize its resources and assist communities with their own trail projects, the WCPARC initially made available up to $600,000 each year during the 2010 to 2014 period ($3 million in total) toward the cost of eligible projects. By the end of 2014, 15 projects were awarded to 10 different communities. 

In 2016, the residents of Washtenaw County passed a four-year road and trails millage of which 20% will be allocated to WCPARC for the development of non-motorized trails, including the Border-to-Border Trail.  The Parks and Recreation Commission voted to use 1/3 of its allocation to reinstate the Connecting Communities initiative.  The program is active from 2017 through 2020.