Moolenaar secures $800,000 for Shelby Community Park

Officials break ground on the Shelby Township Park June 9, 2022. Pictured, left to right: Former Oceana County Commissioner Larry Byl, Oceana County Commissioner Craig Hardy, Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast, Oceana County Community Foundation CEO Tammy Carey, Oceana County Commissioner Phil Morse and Shelby Township Clerk Marilyn Glover.
– OCP file photo

Moolenaar secures $800,000 for Shelby Community Park

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Michigan) is a member of the the House Committee on Appropriations, which passed the 2024 budget for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the legislation includes his requests to help residents and communities in his district, states a press release from his office issued Tuesday July 18.

Included in the bill is $800,000 for Oceana County’s Shelby Township Community Park which broke ground last summer on Buchanan Road near 72nd Avenue.

Rep. John Moolenaar

Moolenaar represents Michigan’s Second District which includes Oceana, Mason, Manistee, Lake, Newaygo, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Isabella, Montcalm, Gatriot, Ionia, Barry counties and portions of Wexford, Midland, Muskegon, Kent, and Eaton counties.

The legislation also includes $2 million for the Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan in Kent County and $2.9 million for development and community investment in Cadillac.

“As Michigan’s only member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to support communities in the Second District with crucial funding,” states Congressman Moolenaar. “The project in Kent County will provide a space for education and activities for the Kent County Youth Agriculture Association. The funding for Cadillac will be used to develop a vacant site to address the need for affordable housing and development downtown. The Shelby Community Park project will be a welcomed addition to the area and be a place for residents to enjoy. I encourage local leaders to reach out to my office for more information if they are interested in funding projects for their community.”

Mooleaar said the contribution to the Shelby Community Park project “is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would generate economic value by attracting visitors and driving tourism, enhancing property values, creating job opportunities, and increasing tax revenues. This, in turn, would support a strong workforce and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Shelby Township and Oceana County.”

The 36-acre park is located adjacent to the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail and is being developed in two phases, featuring soccer and softball fields, pickle ball courts, playscape, picnic area, outdoor arena and more. Grant funds and private donations have helped pay for the $5.3 million park. If you’re interested in donating to the park fund, contact the Shelby Township Office at 231-861-5853.

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