MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Governor Rick Snyder approved nearly $28 million in outdoor recreation development and acquisition grants.

Meridian Township was awarded $50,000 to construct a universally accessible pavilion as an addition to the existing restroom building in North Meridian Park.

"North Meridian Road Park is very popular, but desperately needs shade. The new pavilion will be very appreciated by our residents," said Jane Greenway, Meridian Township Parks & Land Management Coordinator.

The park currently has a sledding hill, soccer fields, walking and cross country skiing trails, sand volleyball courts and a playground area.

"When a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant is awarded to a local unit of government, that funding brings economic, recreational and quality-of-life benefits to the surrounding community," said DNR Director Bill Moritz in a statement. "Projects like these often have a real impact on local businesses, too."

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. Over the past 40 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan.