City of Fennville Awarded $1.1 Million in Funds for Improvements to Paradise Park
Initiative, a Community Development Block Grant program. They are one of sixteen communities receiving a portion of $20,000,000 in investments from the program.
The 2023 Public Gathering Spaces Initiative (PGSI) funds improvements intended to increase usability, accessibility, and seasonality within new or existing community spaces on publicly owned property. By supporting the creation or expansion of public gathering spaces in low-and-moderate income (LMI) communities throughout Michigan, PGSI will create and enhance recreational places that will allow residents to gather, relax, celebrate, and commemorate. PGSI funds projects including, but not limited to parks, town squares, playgrounds, amphitheaters, and farmer's markets.
The City will be using this funding to replace the thirty year old playground at Paradise Park, add a restroom building with a drinking fountain, make improvements to parking, and other landscaping and recreational improvements. The plan is to begin construction in spring of 2024 and finish in fall of 2024. The City will be providing a match of $120,133 for the project.
“Paradise Park has brought years of enjoyment to the families of Fennville. These exciting improvements will ensure many more years of fun for our community,” said Mayor Dan Rastall.
The City is currently completing Phase I of Paradise Park Improvements, consisting of improvements to a wetland area and the rehabilitation of two ball fields with a Michigan Department of Natural Resources “Natural Resources Trust Fund” grant of $300,000. Improvements to the ball fields is expected to be completed in fall of 2023.
For addi��onal inquiries regarding the project, please contact City Administrator Katie Beemer at kbeemer@fennville.gov or 269-561-8321 for more information.