If approved, the city of East Lansing would receive $625,000 to construct a pavilion, electrical service, a drinking fountain, walkway improvements and reconstruction of the parking lot, basketball courts and associated landscaping at Hannah Community Center off of Abbott Road.

The community center, which used to be the high school, has greenspace on its north side that is currently used as a field for recreational sports.

Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg said she sent an application to the grant program because of the added shade structure the pavilion gives to spectators that visit the soccer fields, the water bottle filling opportunities from a water fountain and adding a rentable space to the city’s park amenities.

“It’s a relatively small amount of payment for a huge net gain in recreational value,” Gregg said.

The council moved to approve the application to the grant program in a three to one vote.

The council also voted to approve a measure recognizing ‘No Mow May’, during which residents are encouraged to hold off on mowing their lawns until June to conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions and produce less waste from lawn clippings.

Councilmember George Brookover said he thinks it’s a long-term mistake to give up grass or another green space.

“I do find it ironic that on the same council agenda, we’re voting on ‘No Mow May,' and we’re once again taking up grass in what I consider to be a central location in East Lansing,” Brookover said.

However, the staff members responsible for developing the application to the grant program said that none of the current recreational spaces such as a field for soccer, kickball or softball will convert grass space into pavement.

“We’re taking kids outside (for summer camps), but there really is no shade structure whatsoever," Director of Parks and Recreation Catherine DeShambo said. "This would allow us a much nicer environment for those activities."