The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is funding outdoor recreation facility renovations and improvements in 22 communities across the state, including an award to the city of Traverse City. The city was awarded a $75,000 grant for improved parking, new ski runs and a learner's area with a surface lift and sledding hill at Hickory Hills Ski Area. This was the only grant provided in the five-county area for 2018. Traverse City was one of 22 communities which will share $1,468,900 in Recreation Passport grants. The projects were chosen from a field of 73 grant applications.

Public Act 32 of 2010 created the Local Public Recreation Facilities Fund for the development of public recreation facilities for local units of government. Money for this fund is derived from the sale of the Recreation Passport (which replaces the resident Motor Vehicle Permit) for state park entrance. Michigan's Recreation Passport enables Michigan-registered vehicle access to more than 100 state parks, hundreds of miles of trails, historic sites, boat launches and other state-managed destinations. Cost is $11, $6 for motorcycles.