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.
Eligibility
The program is open to all Washtenaw County municipalities and land-holding not-for-profit institutions.
WCPARC is taking applications for the 2018 grant cycle until August 31, 2018. All projects will be scored on a competitive basis based on limited funding. Projects awarded funding will be announced in the fall. Any agency interested in applying is encouraged to talk to WCPARC staff about project details at (734) 971-6337.
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. 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.