South Michigan News

State Representative Kathy Schmaltz has announced that Chelsea will receive a $1,012,500 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to support the city’s acquisition of land for the new Main Street Park. The funding was secured after the governor signed legislation finalizing this year’s trust fund projects.

The city of Chelsea will contribute approximately $463,000 as a local match to help purchase 2.8 acres for the park. According to Schmaltz, “I’m thrilled that funding for Main Street Park is now officially in place. This project is transforming a former industrial site into a vibrant public space where families, kids, and seniors can gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors. It’s a great example of what can happen when state and local partners work together to invest in our communities’ quality of life.”

Main Street Park will be developed on part of the former Federal Screw Works site. Planned features include a rock-climbing wall, skateboard area, multi-use sports courts, walking paths, a community hearth, multi-use pavilion, seating areas, and four family-style bathrooms. The design was shaped by input from local residents to create an active and safe environment.

Chelsea officials are also seeking additional funds to connect Main Street Park with non-motorized pathways linking it to the Border-to-Border Trail, schools, retirement communities, and other parks in the area.

The grant is part of House Bill 4392—now law—which allocates $41.8 million for 17 land acquisition and 68 recreational development projects across Michigan through the Natural Resources Trust Fund. The fund uses revenue generated from mineral development on state lands rather than general tax money and is distributed annually in partnership with local governments as required by the Michigan Constitution.

Earlier this year, Chelsea’s Main Street Park received another $1 million grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking program.