On or before November 3rd, you’ll find a ballot request asking for a hand on the Parks and Rec Department of Muskegon County. Here’s where we pause a moment to let everyone get it out…… yes, it’s a millage request. Yes, it might cost you between $3.13 and $5.21 per month depending on the value of your home…but as we grow, so will the opportunities for all of us in the county with better parks and rec spaces that are connected with trails, opportunities and securing more green space for the future.
Picture a future of Muskegon County Parks with much needed permanent bathroom facilities. How about much better accessibility for those who are limited in mobility? Maybe some of the underutilized parks in the area townships and municipalities that need a boost and some refreshing can get the funding needed with the support of this millage and matching state and federal grants. This is a very practical and affordable millage request that will exponentially increase not only the value in our area parks, but add much more programming, amenities and innovative ways to make our parks vibrant and active places for community gathering.
Aaron Bodbyl-Mast knows parks. HIs day job is a parks and recs manager. In his downtime, he’s a voluenteer on Parks and Rec Boards in Muskegon County and working to help spread the word about the upcoming ballot proposal. It’s a comprehensive benefits program. The majority of it, 70% goes to the county parks. Up to 30% goes back to the local municipalities to support their parks…directly. And yes, the one thing everyone hates. There’s some divvied up money for brownfields. Michigan law requires this brownfield funding on initiatives like this. It’s not a bunch of cronies in the county trying to stick it to you over something. They are following what’s been set forth by the legislature. If passed, we’re looking at about $3.6M annually for our parks and rec across the board and that’s shared with the local municipal entities.
What’s in it for you right off the top? Well, if passed, gone are the fees for parking fees at Muskegon County Parks. That’s COUNTY parks. But hey, saving $7 bucks a trip or $25 annually is a nice bonus. How about something more than an outhouse or port a john? I am all for that? Above all, bringing the county a little closer together. A Little more ability to access the trail system and grow the foot print of the trail system in Muskegon County which we are painfully behind on and increasing our capacity for events, visitors and activity outdoors. This is prime places to invest in the future of all of us.
The County has a video they would like you to review…..below you’ll find the link to the website and details about how it all works and what your vote means. We are all for the support and expansion of our parks and green spaces. Please take a look at the video and then visit the WEBSITE to learn more.
