Royal Oak Gets $228,000 Grant for Stormwater Control Efforts at Normandy Oaks
ROYAL OAK, MI – Royal Oak proudly announces its award as one of seven organizations to participate in the inaugural National Fish and Wildlife Foundation-Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund grant program. The Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund is a public-private funding partnership that increases the resilience of communities and natural resources in Southeast Michigan. These efforts help the region prepare for intensifying environmental stressors related to development, climate, invasive species, nonpoint source pollution and other factors. The funding partnership includes ArcelorMittal, The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The U.S. Department of Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service.
Through this award, Royal Oak has earned $228,000 in financial assistance to reduce stormwater run-off and enhance public space at Normandy Oaks Park. More specifically, the funding will help the city install stormwater management features like bioswales and a detention pond and increase community-building and educational activities at the park.
The grant also helps fund community outreach and education events about local watershed issues, stormwater management techniques, and the benefits of natural systems. Royal Oak is partnering with the Clinton River Watershed Council to leverage their expertise in these educational resource programs and hope many residents and business owners will attend.
“This important funding allows us to install all green stormwater infrastructure features at Normandy Oaks in this year’s development, rather than a few now and a few in the future. This is another great opportunity for Royal Oak to engage in sustainability programs and initiatives that benefit the economy, the environment, and our quality of life.” Julie Lyons Bricker, Energy and Sustainability Manager.
The city recognizes that investing in stormwater infrastructure and enhancement of public space is necessary in the development of resilient communities, and this grant funding will allow Royal Oak to continue demonstrating leadership among cities advancing a sustainable, healthy, and equitable way of life.
Learn more about the 2019 grant projects: https://www.nfwf.org/semichigan/Documents/2019grantslate.pdf
About Royal Oak
Royal Oak is a vibrant metro Detroit community home to nearly 60,000 residents located in Oakland County. Destinations within the 12-mile community include The Detroit Zoo, The Royal Oak Music Theatre, William Beaumont Hospital, Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle and a successful Farmer’s Market among others. The city’s recreational services include more than 50 public parks and was recently named one of the Top 10 Most Exciting Small Cities in America by Movoto and the Best Place to Live in Michigan by AreaVibes. To learn more about Royal Oak, visit www.romi.gov.