BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — North Dakota Parks and Recreation (NDPRD) has received a grant of nearly $4.5 million for local park projects in the northeast part of the state.

The grants come from the National Park Service (NDS) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, and will be used for redevelopment projects. These include:

1. $3,489,750 for the Grand Forks Downtown Gateway and Greenway, an outdoor recreational area spanning 2,200 acres.
2. $1,000,000 for the Turtle Mountain Family Recreation Area near Bottineau

“This is a monumental achievement for North Dakota Parks and Recreation, as it’s the first time our state has received an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant,” Cody Schulz, the director of the NDPRD, said. “We’re excited to be working with both the City of Grand Forks and the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority on these projects, which will provide new recreational opportunities and lasting benefits for these communities and visitors.”

The ORLP Program was created in 2014, and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The Grand Forks park project is a master plan involving the redevelopment of Greenway Recreational Features in downtown.

“Winning this highly competitive grant is a huge victory for our hard-working city staff,” said Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski. “Enhancing the Greenway continues to improve the quality of life in Grand Forks and is a great addition to both attract and retain families and workforce.”

A total of 54 projects throughout the country received grants from the National Park Service, which amounted to $254 million in all.

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