The Ashland County Park District was awarded $700,000 from the State Capital Budget Bill. This grant will significantly contribute to the development of the Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center.
The Park District was informed of the grant by state Rep. Melanie Miller and Sen. Mark Romanchuk.
The Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center was chosen for the award due to the significant investment by donors from the Ashland County community.
“Ashland donors raised over $500,000 for the construction of the Davy building,” said Ashland County Park District Director Eric Schneider.
State money dedicated to site improvements
According to Schneider, the funding is allocated with $200,000 from the One-Time Community Strategic Community Investment Fund and $500,000 from the Capital Improvement Budget.
The One-Time Community Strategic Community Investment Fund was established to support projects that will benefit communities and residents for years to come.
The $500,000 from the Capital Improvement Budget will be used to further enhance the community's investment in the project. The funds will be dedicated to site improvements, including the development of trails, parking and other nature-based features.
Schneider said none of this would have been possible without the support of the community. It began with a challenge grant from Bob and Jan Archer to fundraise $250,000, which was successfully met in 2023.
The achievement led to Miller and Romanchuk championing additional funding for the Park District. Their efforts have ensured the Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center will become a cornerstone of environmental education and recreation in Ashland County, providing residents and visitors with a premier destination for outdoor learning and enjoyment.
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