Access to Recreation  |   Santa House  |   Entranceways
Initiative Taskforce |  Cultural Awareness

Access to Recreation

Make a Contribution

In October 2006, the Midland Area Community Foundation was awarded a matching grant through an Access to Recreation initiative funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and coordinated by the Midwest Community Foundation Ventures that will provide for enhanced universal recreation access for everyone, including those with disabilities.

The $440,000 matching grant to the MACF was one of five grants awarded to community foundations across Michigan. These grants were designed as a means to convene community partners for the purpose of promoting universal access to recreation sites and build endowments to provide for the long-term focus on accessibility.

Phase I: 
Phase I is complete and consisted of:

West Midland Family Center :

Creation of an 1,000 ft pathway that connects to

  •  Accessible playground and picnic tables
  •  Restrooms
  •  Fire ring
  •  Multi-purpose court
Midland Community Center: 

     Indoor and outdoor spray park
     Accessible play-features
     Soft slip resistant surface
     Accessible parking and walkway
     Barrier free restrooms

Phase Two is the next step.
The plan is to address the following locations by installing 100% accessible canoe and kayak launches at the following locations.

  • Sanford Lake Park
  • Chippewa Nature Center Chippewa Cabin
  • Midland Farmer's Market Bank

Our Partners

Partnering with the Midland Area Community Foundation in this endeavor are the Chippewa Nature Center, Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, Midland Community Center, Midland County Parks and Recreation Department, and West Midland Family Center.

If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the Access to Recreation Project Fund or the Access to Recreation Endowment Fund, please contact the Foundation at 989-839-9661.

For Midland County, this means a variety of updates and additions to current recreational areas. These sites for recreational improvement include Manitou County Park, Chippewa Nature Center, West Midland Family Center and Midland Community Center.