Niles Charter Township Receives $908,700 DNR Spark Grant for Community Park Improvements
The Niles Charter Township has recently been awarded a whopping $908,700 DNR Spark Grant to make significant improvements to its Community Park. This grant, the largest in the history of Niles Charter Township, will be used to construct 10 pickleball courts and a new shelter to replace the old, dilapidated building that was demolished in 2022.
The park shelter, which was originally built in 1940, was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was in poor condition. After commissioning a study by Wightman last year, the Niles Township Park Board developed a master plan to revitalize the park. The demolition of the old building took place in December 2022, clearing the way for the new improvements.
Community Park spans approximately 33 acres and features Brandywine Creek running through it. The addition of the new shelter and pickleball courts will enhance the park’s amenities and connect it to the Indian-Michigan River Valley Trail along 3rd Street.
Pickleball, a popular recreational sport, has seen a surge in demand in the area, leading to the inclusion of the courts in the grant application. The Michigan Spark Grants aim to help local communities create and improve public recreation opportunities, especially in areas that were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Township Park Board Chairperson Jill DeLucia, the Spark funding will not affect local taxes as no matching funds from the township are required. The grant money will cover the costs of both the shelter replacement and court additions, providing a much-needed boost to the Community Park and its visitors.
