Marsh gets $1.1M federal grant for development, renovations
CARROLL TOWNSHIP — Magee Marsh Wildlife Area will be getting some significant upgrades in the next two years, thanks to an infusion of federal funds announced this week.
The popular Ottawa County site will be getting $1,160,106 from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund’s grant projects.
Meredith Gilbert, an Ohio Division of Wildlife communications specialist, told the News-messenger Friday the state will complete a combination of new development and facility renovations at the Magee Marsh site.
Gilbert said this will include renovations to Magee Marsh’s Sportsman’s Migratory Bird Center, including much needed updates to the building and and several outdoor amenities.
“The grant will also be used for updates and improvements to trails, including the boardwalk, and road and parking areas. These updates will ensure a safe and accessible space for Ohioans to enjoy the outdoors and learn about wetland habitat and the wildlife they support,” Gilbert said.
Planning and design already underway
Gilbert said the planning and design for the projects has already begun.
She said a preliminary timeline has construction beginning in July with completion by March of 2023.
The Magee Marsh boardwalk had been damaged and closed by an Aug. 10 storm and remains closed at this time, Gilbert said, adding that staff are working diligently with contractors to outline a plan for tree removal and needed repairs.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, D-OH, announced the grant Wednesday.
Brown said in a news release the United States National Park Service’s (NPS) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) had awarded 18 grants,
totaling $10,266,619, to Ohio organizations for outdoor recreation and conservation projects across the state.
“Ohioans depend on access to parks and public lands for outdoor recreation, community events, and local jobs,” Brown said. “These Land and Water Conservation Fund grants will support Ohio economies and protect our natural resources for future generations.”
Brown backed Great American Outdoors Act
In June 2020, Brown supported the Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, bipartisan legislation to improve access to public lands and preserve them for future generations, according to his office.
The Great American Outdoors Act invests in the repair of national park and public lands infrastructure and in protecting and providing recreational access through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to national, state, and local parks, forests, wildlife areas, and other public lands. dacarson@gannett.com 419-334-1046
Twitter: @Danielcarson7