PRIME MERIDIAN?

Officials could add close to 11 acres in local park expansion

Meridian Park could get a little bigger with a little help from the state Legislature.

The county’s parks and recreation department is applying for grant money from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund that could go to buying a section of land that could improve access to the park’s northeast corner.

The park there is nearly pinched off by a bend in the Chippewa River and the private property boundary. The access trail runs along the boundary, but because it dips creates access issues for people who are less surefooted, said Sue Ann Kopmeyer, parks and recreation director.

Buying the 10-or-so acres the county is applying to purchase would open up access on property that is flatter.

“It would be a nice addition,” Kopmeyer said.

Adding land to the park is part of the parks and recreation department’s master plan.

Current estimates place the price of the addition at $115,000, and Kopmeyer is asking for $85,000 from the state. The rest would come from a local match, according to her report to the Isabella County Commission.

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, from which the money is hoped to come, was established in 1976 for the purpose of purchasing land for state and local parks. It is funded with proceeds from mineral revenues from stateowned lands.

Depending on revenue, investment performance and accrued interest, the Legislature can appropriate between $1520 million each year for grants.

The 150-ish acres of land for Meridian Park was purchased by the county in 1979.

PHOTOS BY ERIC BAERREN — MORNING SUN ABOVE: Brooke Swarts, of Mt. Pleasant, and Louie walk along a path at Meridian Park on Monday. BELOW RIGHT: An Eastern garter snake pauses while moving through leaf litter near the north boundary of Meridian County Park on Monday.

ISABELLA COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION This GIS map shows the section of land that Isabella County Parks & Recreation could add to Meridian Park.