Open house planned to provide details, let residents offer suggestions for Genesee County’s first state park

Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant seen here on Thursday, March 31, 2022, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. "Michiganders love our pristine parks and majestic outdoor spaces. Over the last couple of years, attendance at state parks reached historic highs as people sought space to unwind and safely connect with their friends and loved ones. Our parks support so many jobs and local economies too, empowering tourism and recreation small businesses across the state," Whitmer said. "The Building Michigan Together plan will invest $250 million to improve all 103 of our existing state parks and build a new state park in Flint. All of our state parks are important pillars of their communities. They support local small businesses, create jobs, and give people beautiful, welcoming places to make memories. The bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan proves that we can come together to deliver on the issues that matter most to families, and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have on our state parks." (Jake May | MLive.com)

State Rep. Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint, smiles as she hugs Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Pastor Chris Martin sits among dozens sit in attendance during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for MichiganÕs 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Officials speak during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for MichiganÕs 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Ron Olson, chief of the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division, speaks during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant seen here on Thursday, March 31, 2022, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Patrick Scanlon Flint River Watershed Coalition executive director, listens on during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for MichiganÕs 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

"Securing a state park in our community is critical for placemaking and economic development," said Dominique Clemons, chair for the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the press conference at Kettering University in Flint. "I am excited for this investment into our community that will have a transformational impact and will pave the way toward building a brighter future for Genesee County." (Jake May | MLive.com)

"Over the past decade, hundreds of Flint teens have been exposed to career paths in outdoor recreation and natural resources conservation and management through our partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Summer Youth Employment Program," said Dr. Kimberly Leverette, Executive Director of Flint and Genesee Education and Talent, a division of the Flint and Genesee Group. "A new state park at Chevy Commons will bring more opportunities to pursue, such as jobs and a wide breadth of recreational activities to experience. This is a huge win for not only our employment program, but also our community and economy." (Jake May | MLive.com)

Jack Stock, director of external relations for university advancement at Kettering University, listens on during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for MichiganÕs 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley listen on as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stands amidst the crowd after a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

State Rep. Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint, listens on during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for MichiganÕs 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer poses with University of Michigan-Flint junior student body president T.J. Brooks, left, and UM-Flint senior student body vice president Shbeib Dabaja after a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Pastor Chris Martin sits among dozens sit in attendance during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Dozens sit in attendance during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gretchen Whitmer takes photos with audience members after a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley smiles as he speaks with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

"I see all of the sort of depraved things that were talked about, and itÕs jarring,Ó said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, March 31, 2022 while answering questions at a press conference in Flint about the trial of men charged with conspiring to kidnap her. "I'm an ordinary person in an extraordinary role serving in an extraordinary time. It's been challenging. I think the violence that has become normalized in our society does a disservice to every one of us. I just hope that whatever the outcome is that it is the right one and that it is just."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. "Michiganders love our pristine parks and majestic outdoor spaces. Over the last couple of years, attendance at state parks reached historic highs as people sought space to unwind and safely connect with their friends and loved ones. Our parks support so many jobs and local economies too, empowering tourism and recreation small businesses across the state," Whitmer said. "The Building Michigan Together plan will invest $250 million to improve all 103 of our existing state parks and build a new state park in Flint. All of our state parks are important pillars of their communities. They support local small businesses, create jobs, and give people beautiful, welcoming places to make memories. The bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan proves that we can come together to deliver on the issues that matter most to families, and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have on our state parks." (Jake May | MLive.com)

State Rep. Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint, listens on during a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for MichiganÕs 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Gretchen Whitmer takes photos with audience members after a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Kettering University in Flint. Chevy Commons, the former site of the Chevrolet plant, is the planned location for Michigan’s 104th state park, funded by the Building Michigan Together Plan. (Jake May | MLive.com)

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FLINT, MI -- A public open house next week will give residents a chance to get information on planning for Michigan’s newest state park and to offer suggestions for the project.

The state Department of Natural Resources announced the open house will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Mott Park Clubhouse, 2701 Nolen Drive, in Flint.

First proposed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, the state park plan for Flint gained steam after up to $30.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were designated for the project in March.

Once completed, it will become the 104th state park in Michigan and the first in Genesee County.

Related: Michigan’s newest state park will be in arm’s reach of vibrant, popular downtown scene

The proposed 234-acre park is located along a stretch of the Flint River, including Chevy Commons, Mott Park Recreation Area, Riverbank Park, Vietnam Veterans Park, Happy Hollow Nature Area and existing trails.

Plans call for it to be supplemented with other land along the river, which has been made available through collaborations with Genesee County, the city of Flint, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and potential donors, the DNR said.

“I’m grateful that Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have prioritized this resource for Flint,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in the state’s news release. “This is an investment in the health, safety and quality of life of Flint families who will have new opportunities to enjoy nature.”

Although the open house is planned for four hours, the DNR said people may stop in at any time.

After the meeting, the proposed design concept will be available at Michigan.gov/StateParksProgress. People can send comments to DNR-ParksAndRecreation@Michigan.gov through Oct. 25.

The DNR says emails should include “FLINT STATE PARK” in the subject line.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

He scared his victim to death in 1984. Now inmate’s fate rests with Gov. Whitmer

Genesee County sinks $6.5M in COVID-19 relief funds into extending public water in Fenton Township area

Genesee commissioners say $16 hourly intern pay a ‘slap in the face’ to other workers

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