On November 3, 2026, Muskegon County voters will be asked to consider a new 0.5 mill Parks and Trails Millage for a period of 10 years.
Community members are invited to attend town hall meetings to ask question and learn more about the proposed millage. Visit our EVENTS page for more information.
A millage is a property tax that voters can choose to approve. If approved, the Muskegon County Parks and Trails Millage would provide dedicated funding to support local parks, trails, and greenways.
By law, all money raised through the millage could only be used for parks, trails, and greenways. It could not be spent on other county programs or services.
The millage gives Muskegon County residents the opportunity to decide whether to invest in the parks, trails, and outdoor spaces throughout our community.
Muskegon County Parks Department operations are currently funded without an ongoing dedicated countywide millage or dedicated local, state, or federal funds.
Currently, the Parks Department is funded through camping fees, vehicle permits, facility rentals, grants, and other park-generated revenue.
The Parks Department reports increasing costs, aging facilities, and ongoing maintenance obligations.
If approved by voters, the Parks and Trails Millage would provide a dedicated source of funding for parks, trails, and greenways throughout Muskegon County.
HOW COULD MILLAGE FUNDS BE USED?
Elimination of parking fees at Muskegon County Parks.
- Remove $7 daily fee & $25 annual fee.
- Please note this does not include local, city, state, or federal properties.
- Fee elimination would begin in the 2027 season.
Develop and expand regional trail connections.
- Connecting parks across the county through well-maintained trails.
Restore, enhance, and expand park facilities and amenities.
- Upgrades to restrooms, campgrounds, beach access, trails and more.
- Including the Muskegon County Fairgrounds and Heritage Landing.
- For a breakdown on individual park improvements see the Muskegon County Parks , Open Space, and Greenway Plan linked below.
Share funding and resources directly with all 27 local municipalities for parks & recreation.
- Up to 30% millage revenue share.
- Support for grant application processes and 5-year plan development.
Improve parks and trails accessibility.
Potential improvements could include:
- ADA-accessible playgrounds
- Accessible kayak launches
- Barrier-free trails
- Accessible fishing docks and areas
- Universal design improvements
- Beach accessibility enhancements
Increase public access to regional lakes, rivers, and streams.
- Improving existing boat ramps and kayak launches.
- Develop plans to locate addtional points of access.
Develop outdoor education and recreational programming.
- Develop programming for people of all ages.
- Support transportation to and from parks for educational purposes.
Preserve and improve natural areas, wetlands, fisheries, and other public green spaces.
Increase opportunities to apply for state and federal grant funding.
Expand staffing for park operations, maintenance, and visitor services.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Muskegon County voters will decide whether to authorize a new 0.5-mill County Parks and Trails Millage for a period of ten (10) years, from 2026 through 2035.
If approved, the millage would provide a dedicated local funding source for improvements to county parks, regional trails, and local community parks throughout Muskegon County.
A mill is a property tax rate. One mill equals $1.00 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. The proposed millage is 0.5 mills, or .50 cents for every $1,000 of taxable value.
The actual cost depends on a property’s taxable value, not its market value. Taxable value is approximately half of the market value. Examples include:
Home Market Value | Home Taxable Value | Yearly Tax Increase | Monthly Tax Increase |
| $150,000 | $75,000 | $37.50 | $3.13 |
| $200,000 | $100,000 | $50.00 | $4.17 |
| $250,000 | $125,000 | $62.50 | $5.21 |
Find your taxable value using the Muskegon County Property Viewer.
If fully levied beginning in 2027, the proposal is expected to generate approximately $3.68 million annually. Because taxable values change over time, annual collections may vary.
The proposal would authorize the millage for 10 years, beginning in December 2026 and expiring after the 2035 tax year.
The proposal establishes a dedicated funding source for parks, trails, and outdoor recreation. The County intends that approximately:
- 70% be used to support Muskegon County Parks, regional trails, greenways, and countywide outdoor recreation facilities such as the County Fairgrounds or Heritage Landing.
- Up to 30% will be made available for distribution to cities, villages, and townships for improvements to local parks and recreation facilities.
Funds may only be used for eligible parks, trails, and recreation purposes.
Potential projects include:
- Improvements to existing county parks
- Restrooms and park infrastructure
- Trail construction and regional trail connections
- Improvements to the County Fairgrounds or Heritage Landing
- Playground replacement and new playgrounds
- Beach access and waterfront improvements
- Grant matching funds that leverage additional state and federal dollars
- Accessible recreation facilities
- Campground improvements
- Fishing piers and kayak launches
- Picnic shelters
- Natural area restoration
- Park safety improvements
- Wayfinding signage
- Parking lot improvements
- Land acquisition for future parks and trails
Actual projects would be determined through future public planning and annual budgeting processes.
Yes. Countywide improvements would occur throughout the Muskegon County Parks system and regional trail network.
Additionally, eligible local municipalities would receive funding for their own community parks based on an established distribution formula.
Muskegon County’s parks have grown significantly over the past two decades.
The County has expanded:
- Park acreage
- Public beaches
- Campgrounds
- Trails
- Boat launches
- Natural areas
- Accessible recreation opportunities
- Recreation programming
As the system has grown, so have maintenance, replacement, accessibility, and capital improvement needs. Dedicated funding allows long-term planning instead of relying solely on grants or park-generated revenue.
No. There is no current County funding that supports ongoing operations of parks & trails. The proposed millage would provide dedicated funding for park and trail improvements, capital projects, preservation, and long-term investment.
Yes. Many state and federal recreation grants require a local match. Having dedicated local funding could allow Muskegon County to be more competitive when applying for grants and could leverage additional outside investment.
No. Revenue generated by the millage may only be used for the purposes authorized by the ballot proposal.
The Muskegon County Parks Commission, comprised of representatives from across the County, would continue to review park priorities and make recommendations, and the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners would continue to approve annual budgets during public meetings.
All expenditures remain subject to public oversight and annual financial audits.
No. If the millage is approved by voters, the County intends to eliminate the current motor vehicle permit fee for admission to designated County Parks.
If the proposed millage is not approved:
- Existing County Parks would continue operating using current funding sources.
- Daily parking fees and camping fees may increase due to rising costs for maintenance and operations.
- Capital improvements could be delayed due to funding limitations.
- Grant opportunities requiring local matching funds may be more difficult to pursue.
Regional trails connect communities, schools, neighborhoods, parks, businesses, and recreational destinations.
Trails provide opportunities for:
- Walking, Running, Bicycling
- Accessible recreation
- Healthy lifestyles
- Safe transportation
- Economic Development
Expanding trail connections has been identified as a priority in numerous local and regional planning efforts.
Yes. One of the County’s priorities is expanding access to parks and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors of all abilities.
Potential improvements include:
- ADA-accessible playgrounds
- Accessible kayak launches
- Barrier-free trails
- Accessible fishing docks and areas
- Universal design improvements
- Beach accessibility enhancements
Residents are encouraged to:
- Attend public informational meetings.
- Review educational brochures and fact sheets.
- Contact the Muskegon County Parks & Recreation Commission with questions.
The resources below are available to help residents, community groups, and local organizations learn more about the 2026 Parks & Trails Millage proposal. These materials provide factual information about Muskegon County Parks, the history of park funding, current needs, and priorities identified through community input.
We encourage you to download, review, and share these resources to help inform conversations within your community about the proposed Parks & Trails Millage.