Appropriations Requests for : Canton Township

1. Cosponsoring legislators:

No Cosponsors

Recipient Information

2. Intended legislatively directed spending item recipient:

Canton Township

3. Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:

1150 S. Canton Center Road Canton, MI. 48188. This is also the location of the project

4. The recipient's employer identification number:

38-6004944

Funding Details

5. Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:

$2,500,000.00

6. What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?

Heritage Park North Inclusive Recreation Initiative: Canton Township respectfully seeks local, state and federal partnerships to deliver a universally accessible, destination playground and inclusive recreation environment at Heritage Park North. This $2.78 million, construction-ready project will establish one of the most comprehensive inclusive outdoor recreation facilities in Wayne County and serve as a regional model for equitable public infrastructure. This is not a traditional playground replacement; it is a deliberate investment in disability inclusion, public health, youth development, and ADA-forward community design. The plans are complete, costs are defined, and the Township is positioned to move immediately upon funding. Too often, traditional playgrounds unintentionally exclude the very families who need them most. Uneven surfaces, inaccessible play structures, and equipment requiring physical transfers create barriers that force many families to travel outside their home community to find appropriate recreation. Heritage Park North is intentionally designed to eliminate those barriers. From barrier-free parking and ADA-compliant pathways to poured-in-place safety surfacing, ramped access to elevated play features, sensory and tactile elements, communication boards, and inclusive swings and spinners, the entire site is built around shared play and dignity. The proposal also includes an inclusive Bankshot adaptive basketball court, expanding access to court sports for individuals of varying physical and cognitive abilities. The regional impact is significant. Canton already administers one of the most comprehensive therapeutic recreation programs in Western Wayne County, serving families from multiple jurisdictions. This facility will provide a permanent, purpose-built outdoor environment to support those services while remaining fully open to the public. Beyond recreation, inclusive spaces like this strengthen physical health, mental wellness, youth development, and social cohesion. By removing barriers to participation, the project advances equity and builds long-term community resilience. This initiative aligns directly with Wayne County, Michigan and federal priorities related to accessibility, disability inclusion, public health, and equitable infrastructure investment. It advances the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act by moving beyond minimum compliance toward universal design. The project is professionally engineered, fiscally disciplined, and implementation-ready, with site challenges addressed through thoughtful drainage and green infrastructure solutions. State and federal partnership in this effort signals a clear commitment that public infrastructure must serve all residents. Heritage Park North ensures that no child is excluded from play and that families across Wayne County have access to inclusive community space for generations to come.

7. Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?

No previous funding received

8. Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:

12-24 months

Additional Information For Nonprofit Corporations

9. Is the recipient a nonprofit corporation?

No

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator

• "I certify that my immediate family members, legislative staff members, and I have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the requested legislatively directed spending item."
• "I certify that the intended recipient of this legislatively directed spending item is not a for-profit entity."
• "I certify that the information in this form is true to the best of my knowledge."

Senator Dayna Polehanki