Three Rivers, Sturgis receive grants

Two St. Joseph County communities were included in a list of counties that received grants announced this week by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The cities of Sturgis and Three Rivers will receive funds through the Recreation Passport Grant. In all, 36 communities across the state will share more than $1.4 million through the grant.
Sturgis will receive $45,000 for use at Oaklawn Terrace Park, where renovations will include accessible paved paths from the parking area to park amenities, resurfacing the skating/roller hockey rink, and renovations to outdated playground equipment.
Three Rivers will be awarded $37,500 for Memory Isle Park renovations. The work includes renovating old basketball courts and adding features to the existing skate park.
Funding for the program is derived from sales of the Recreation Passport, the $11 annual pass that grants residents vehicle entry at state parks and recreation areas throughout Michigan.
The selected projects were chosen from a field of 77 grant applications seeking more than $3 million in funding.