ESCANABA — The Delta County Board of Commissioners voted in favor of allowing the Delta Conservation District (DCD) to move forward with a grant application for a proposed project at Rapid River Falls Park. The decision came after a public hearing Tuesday.

DCD Executive Director Rory Mattson spoke about the changes that may be made to Rapid River Falls Park. He said the district’s proposed project would create 25 new campsites with electrical hookups in the 40 acres of the park closest to County Road I-39.

“What we’re looking at is a very small campground up at Rapid River Falls Park,” he said.

In the back half of the park, a four-wheeler trail would be established. Due to the park’s location near a legal trail crossing of U.S. 41, Mattson said it could serve as a “hub” for four-wheeling enthusiasts looking to travel in the area.

Mattson noted the DCD has been planning to submit a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the project on behalf of Delta County, but needed the county’s approval to do so. According to Mattson, the county’s only obligation related to the project will be a 25 percent match.

Some people in attendance at the meeting voiced their concerns with the project. Leonard Gustafson said he felt the county should prioritize county road repairs over improvements to the park.

“The road is in poor condition now, and I guess we’re bringing the cart before the horse here. Let’s repair the road before we worry about the campground,” he said.

Mattson said the DCD is not involved with road repairs.

“We can’t blacktop or do anything with the road, obviously — that’s the Delta County Road Commission (DCRC),” he said. DCRC Managing Director Jody Norman said Masonville Township may do work on nearby roads in the future.

Though the board discussed the possibility of providing assistance to the DCRC for county road work, the only formal decision made on this project Tuesday was authorizing the DCD to move forward with its grant application.

“All you’d be doing today is applying for the grant,” County Administrator Ryan Bergman said.