Grant Will ‘Spark’ a Facelift For Smith Park

City of White Cloud scores major funding award

The City of White Cloud was recently awarded $867,600 of grant funding through the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) / Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Spark Grant Program partnership to upgrade Smith Park with the addition of new amenities and improvements to existing facilities. $24.2 million dollars has been awarded to date to the 29 opportunity communities through the CMF/DNR Spark Program.
 
“We are excited to receive this funding and use it to create our community's vision to enhance residents' recreational experience,” said April Storms, City Manager for the City of White Cloud. “I am grateful for everyone's ideas, input and effort that got us to this point, and I am confident that these developments will pay huge dividends for our community for generations to come.”
 
The CMF/DNR Spark Grant program was established to equitably guide resources to communities and expand access to healthy indoor and outdoor recreation projects for many of Michigan’s historically under-resourced and underrepresented communities. Ensuring that community voice was prioritized in all elements of the planning process, and applying an equity lens during project decisions, were key elements to the program.
 
“We are grateful for the efforts of the City of White Cloud and the leadership of the Fremont  Area Community Foundation in centering resident voices in this project that will create healthy recreational opportunities for all to enjoy for years to come,” said Kyle Caldwell, CMF President and CEO.
 
“It’s an honor for the DNR to help dozens of Michigan communities achieve their vision of healthier, more active lifestyles for residents and visitors, especially through a new grantmaking model that ensures a more direct pathway to places where critical dollars are most needed,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen.
 
The grant funds will be used to renovate existing amenities and add new ones. This project is phase 1 of a 2-phase project re-design for Smith Park/Mill Pond. The city will continue to seek grant opportunities to complete phase 2 of this project.  Enhancements in phase 1 include adding a shaded pavilion, bike parking loops, as well as adding ADA-accessible pathways connecting various new park elements. There will also be upgrades to parking areas on E. James St and added new parking locations on S. State St and E. Newell St. totaling 64 parking spaces in the vicinity of the parks. The project aims to enhance recreational opportunities while ensuring accessibility for all residents and visitors.  The city intends on breaking ground for the project in 2025 and the project will be completed by Fall of 2026.
 
The City of White Cloud seeks to provide accessible and enjoyable recreational opportunities that will benefit all area residents and visitors for generations to come.