BY AMY ROBINSON
It promised to be a busy year for Emmet county's Parks and Rec department. It's been awarded $163 thousand dollars in grants to improve facilities in 2013.
The money will go to building a new playground at Camp Petosega, and building a discovery trail and outdoor seating at the Headlands, International Dark Sky park in Mackinaw city.
Laurie Gaetano is Emmet County's Parks and Rec Director.
"We are going to have a great year. Yes. I have an eager staff and they're always happy to improve our facilities, so we will move upward and onward."
Gaetano said Emmet county was fortunate to have received three out of four of the state grants it had applied for last year.
She said county commissioners are supportive of her efforts to attain new grants and have even set aside funds to provide necessary matches.