A popular Cass County just took a big step toward major upgrades.
Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park in Vandalia has been awarded a $428,600 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for upgrades to the park facilities. The grant was announced this week by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which awarded a total of $7,477,100 to parks across the state.
The grant money partially funds a $1.5 million project at the park, which would allow Cass County to build a splash pad, nature center, and renovate to the 30-plus year old Schug Pavilion, which is available to rent for parkgoers.
“The Schug is our focal point,” said Cass County Parks Director Scott Wyman, during a county board meeting in March. “I cannot overestimate how important that shelter is in the programming of Cass County parks. … Weddings, company picnics, so many things happen at that shelter.”
Other proposed improvements include repairing the driveway and parking lots, and Wyman said the project will be a boon to an already popular park.
“I’ve never seen more enthusiasm for the Cass County parks than I’m seeing right now,” Wyman said. “The park is extremely popular right now, and the fees are very modest. With these enhancements, we will be able to probably charge a little but more based on input from the leadership in the community.”
The Cass County Board of Commissioners on Mar. 17 approved two grant applications for renovations to the park. The initial hope was for the grants to fund about $728,000 of the project, with the county pledging the remaining funds.
Lawless Park is one of two county parks in Michigan to have the Dark Sky Park designation, which is “land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and public enjoyment,” according to the International Dark-Sky Association.
