$1 million state grant for city to officially acquire land for Main Street Park

State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz today announced that funding for Chelsea’s new Main Street Park is now official following the governor’s signature on legislation finalizing this year’s Natural Resources Trust Fund projects.

The $1,012,500 Natural Resources Trust Fund grant will help fund the city’s purchase of 2.8 acres of land for the new Main Street Park. The city will provide a local match of about $463,000.

“I’m thrilled that funding for Main Street Park is now officially in place,” said Schmaltz, R-Jackson. “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.”

The new Main Street Park will transform a portion of the former Federal Screw Works site into a public space featuring a rock-climbing wall, skateboard area, multi-use sports courts, walking paths, a community hearth, a multi-use pavilion, and family-friendly amenities like seating areas and four family-style bathrooms. Plans were shaped by input from Chelsea residents and are designed to create a safe, active space that brings people together.

In addition to these features, Chelsea is pursuing additional funding to connect the park to the city’s non-motorized pathways, linking it to the Border-to-Border Trail, local schools, retirement communities, and other area parks.

The grant was included in House Bill 4392, now signed into law, which provides $41.8 million in funding for 17 land acquisition and 68 recreational development projects across Michigan through the Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Money in the Natural Resources Trust Fund comes from the development of minerals on state land – not general tax money – and is distributed on an annual basis in partnership with local governments. The money must be used for acquisition or recreational development projects, according to the Michigan Constitution.

Earlier this year, Chelsea’s Main Street Park also was awarded a $1 million grant through Michigan Economic Development Corporation’ Revitalization and Placemaking program.