MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - On Saturday February 2, Meridian Township held a ribbon cutting ceremony with 200 in attendance to celebrate the dedication of a new park pavilion at North Meridian Road Park.

North Meridian Road Park is home to the only sledding hill within the Township park system and also hosts hundreds of visitors for spring and fall soccer, cross-country skiing, hiking and bird watching.

This $100,000 project was made possible through a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. This fund consists of royalties paid by oil and gas development companies that buy and lease state-owned mineral rights. The funds are used exclusively to purchase and improve land for public recreation and protection of natural features.

“The passage of the Park Millage in August, 2014 has afforded the Park Commission the opportunity to apply for additional grants that require a local financial match. We have been able to address numerous much needed improvements in the park system.” said LuAnn Maisner, Director of Parks and Recreation. “If any of our residents have spent a Saturday watching soccer at North Meridian Road Park, they know how desperately we needed a shade structure.”

For more information about the North Meridian Road Park pavilion or Meridian Moonlight Sledding call the Parks & Recreation Department at 517-853-4600 or visit the Meridian Township website.