Berrien Community Foundation Celebrates Benton Charter Township Receiving $1 Million State Grant to Create Recreational Park

Benton Charter Township’s partnership with Berrien Community Foundation landed the township a $1 million Michigan Department of Natural Resources Spark Grant to develop a new park in Benton Heights. 

“We are so incredibly thankful for everyone who put time and effort into turning this dream into a reality,” said Benton Charter Township Supervisor Cathy Yates, who has worked on the project for more than a year. “This new park is going to be the local go-to place for children and families alike to spend quality time outdoors, visit with neighbors, exercise and have fun.” 

Benton Charter Township was named an “opportunity community” by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which qualified the community for a special Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) and DNR Spark Grant program. The opportunity communities could partner with their local community foundation to apply for up to $1 million in funding for community recreational spaces. This innovative public-private partnership created a path to expand access to recreational spaces and programs for communities that have been historically under-represented and under-resourced.

“It was an honor to walk alongside Benton Charter Township throughout this whole project -- to listen to what the township residents wanted and to help make this park happen,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “By partnering with the Community Foundation, Benton Charter Township was able to access assistance with community input, grant writing and, as the project continues, project management and reporting.”

Plans for the new park — which will be located near the intersection of Euclid and Laurel avenues behind the former Martindale Elementary School — will transform a vacant lot owned by the township into a 10-acre park. There will be a playground, pavilion, splash pad, and a 3/4-mile walking trail winding through existing woods. All of the park features will be ADA compliant so all residents can enjoy the park. There is also room for expansion to include other features such as playing fields and courts.  
Hundreds of residents stand to benefit from the park. There are 700 children living within walking distance who do not have a public playground nearby. There are also nearly 300 seniors who will be able to use the walking trail and many families who could utilize the pavilion for events. 

The design and location of the park came directly from community input, which was gathered during several community events and online surveys. The partnership between New Heights CCDA, Benton Township and the Berrien Community Foundation brought people together to determine the location of the new park and then detail the amenities the community desired. 

The goal of the CMF/DNR Spark Grant Program partnership is to improve healthy spaces in communities experiencing significant levels of health, social and economic disparities and with little or no previous parks and recreation investment. A key component of the Spark Grant was to help opportunity communities mitigate the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Euclid Avenue Park will offer a safe outdoor environment for exercise, recreation and social interaction, which was largely lost by township residents who said they experienced isolation and economic hardships during that time. 

“We are grateful for the leadership of the Berrien Community Foundation and the Benton Charter Township in walking alongside residents throughout this visioning, planning and application process,” said Kyle Caldwell, CMF president and CEO. “This project is a powerful example of what is possible when funders support community voices in creating equity-centered solutions to expanding healthy recreational opportunities for all.” 

Berrien Charter Township is one of 29 communities awarded funding for their respective projects. All projects must be completed by October 31, 2026.