New South Haven Dog Park Receives State Matching Grant Program
The South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods has received a significant boost from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2026
Contact:
Robert Linstrom
robert.linstrom@gmail.com
New South Haven Dog Park Receives State Matching Grant Program
SOUTH HAVEN – The South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods has received a significant boost from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as it seeks to conclude its capital campaign for that park development by mid-July of 2026.
New public spaces across Michigan are being created with the support of the Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) crowdgranting program. The MEDC has announced eight PSCP projects for the spring and summer of 2026, including the South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods. Every dollar given to the campaign at patronicity.com/SHBarkPark will be matched during the 60-day appeal period from May 18 through July 17, 2026.
If the new South Haven Bark Park receives $50,000 during this period, it will win a $50,000 matching grant from the MEDC with funds made possible through the PSCP program.
“The opportunity that the MEDC crowdgranting program is offering to our effort to develop the new South Haven dog park is significant,” said local project director Robert Linstrom. “Since the late fall of 2025, the South Haven area community has responded with enthusiasm to our grass roots effort to raise $180,000 to fully fund the new South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods. This MEDC matching grant program will take us over the top as we develop the new Bark Park in the spring and summer of 2026.”
The South Haven Dog Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that has teamed up with the South Haven Area Recreation Authority (SHARA) to transform five acres of the emerging Riverwoods Recreation Park into a beautifully wooded and fully fenced-in free municipal dog park.
The Bark Park site has been prepared, the fenceline has been marked, and work is underway on the excavation, water hookups, installation of deluxe dog water stations and more in preparation for the fencing phase of the project in the weeks ahead.
The Bark Park at Riverwoods will be a combination of open areas for dogs to run and a beautifully wooded campus for both our large and small dog park areas.
“Not only do these placemaking projects transform underutilized space but they create well-loved and well-used public spaces for generations to come, resulting in more vibrant communities across the state,” said Paula Holtz, MEDC Managing Director Regional Development. “We are proud to provide resources for these efforts through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
100% of donations given to the South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods will be used exclusively for dog park development and all gifts are tax deductible.
South Haven Bark Park is a not-for-profit organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All Gold ($15,000), Silver ($10,000), Bronze ($5,000) and Major ($1,000) Donors will be recognized on an onsite permanent plaque.
Donors can make their check payable to “South Haven Dog Park” and mail it to:
South Haven Dog Park
823 Superior Street
South Haven, MI 49090
Donors may also use the Patronicity site to make electronic donations at:
patronicity.com/SHBarkPark
For questions, contact project director Robert Linstrom at:
(269) 906-0532