Council OKs MDNR Recreation Passport Grant Application for Riverbend Skate Park, Commits $150,000 Match

The Petoskey City Council voted to submit a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport grant application to replace worn skate-park equipment at Riverbend Park and committed $150,000 in matching funds, approving the resolution 4-1 after extended discussion.

Parks staff said the existing skate equipment is old, parts are no longer available from the original manufacturer, and the replacement was identified in the city's 2026 capital plan. Staff described a $300,000 project scope and said the passport grant process is typically faster than other grant programs; staff planned to engage the local skateboarding community on design.

Councilmembers expressed differing views before the vote. Councilmember Shields and others supported the application; Shields noted concerns about rising costs on past projects but said the city can scale the work if bids change. Councilmember Moore and others asked for more detailed design documents before committing council funds. "I'm struggling with the fact that... we're getting the grant before we know what the project is," Moore said, citing the Winter Sports Pavilion experience and the risk of committing substantial local funds without final design.

Staff replied that the $150,000 match is identified in the 2026 capital improvement plan and that if the grant is not awarded the city still retains the identified local investment to make some improvements. The application deadline was identified as April 1 and the grant award typically recommended by the state by late summer or early fall.

After debate, the motion to authorize submission of the MDNR Recreation Passport grant and to commit $150,000 in matching funds passed 4-1. Council directed staff to provide the design concept and a project quote as the process moves forward.