A state grant of nearly $1 million will fund major upgrades to St. Mary’s Park in Monroe, enhancing accessibility and community spaces.
MONROE, Mich. — A nearly $1 million state grant will help transform St. Mary’s Park in Monroe, with construction set to begin this year on a series of major upgrades aimed at making the riverfront space more accessible, welcoming and functional.
The city of Monroe has been awarded a grant of more than $978,000 through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking Program to support the improvements at St. Mary’s Park, according to an announcement Wednesday.
The program provides gap financing for real estate rehabilitation, public space improvements and place-based infrastructure. The St. Mary’s Park project was one of only 23 selected statewide for funding.
The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will include a redesigned park entrance, a modernized parking lot, new riverside seating and tables, and improved ADA-accessible pathways.
“These improvements are more than aesthetics — they’re about creating a park that’s welcoming, accessible and functional for everyone in our community,” said Mark Cochran, Monroe’s economic and community development director. “Identified as a priority in the city’s 2023 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the project represents a key milestone in Monroe’s broader effort to upgrade and maintain its parks and enhance public spaces that foster a feeling of community and belonging through events and social gatherings.”
Construction will be phased to minimize disruption for park visitors.
City officials said St. Mary’s Park is the latest site to benefit from ongoing efforts to improve Monroe’s parks. Recent upgrades have also been made at Labor, Father Cairns, Mill Race, Manor and Munson parks.
“The City Council’s support and our community’s shared vision have been instrumental in securing this funding,” Mayor Robert Clark said. “This grant isn’t just an investment in St. Mary’s Park — it’s an investment in Monroe’s future. By enhancing our public spaces, we’re making Monroe an even better place to live, work and visit.”
City officials expressed gratitude to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Monroe City Council for their support in making the project possible.
The grant follows last year’s renovation of the park’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Footbridge, first built in 1988, which received new paint, fencing and lights to make the bridge accessible at night.
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This article was published by Diane Woodring (WTOL) on 2025-05-07 12:36:00
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