Bingham Township
Community Recreation Plan
2025-2029 Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Bingham Township, Leelanau County, Michigan
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Bingham Township Board of Trustees
Midge Werner, Supervisor
Kathy Morio, Clerk
Sandra Grant, Treasurer
Jeff Layman, Trustee
Todd Stone, Trustee
Bingham Township Planning Commission
Mike Park, Chair
Jeff Layman, Vice Chair
Catthy Jasinski, Secretary
Charlie Dashner
Dennis Grant
Marie Walker
Gary McGee
Bingham Township Parks and Recreation Committee
Ted Cimafranca, Chair
Brian Kindt, Vice Chair
Dan Rose, Secretary
Sue Gibson
Jan Stone
Todd Stone, Township Board Member
Executive Summary
The Bingham Township Parks and Recreation Committee (P&R Committee) has developed this Community Recreation Plan (Plan) to help guide Bingham Township in evaluating and planning the community’s parks and recreation needs. The P&R Committee has prepared this Plan under the guidelines of Publication IC 1924, Guidelines for the Development of Community Parks and Recreation Plans (April 26, 2021 revision), as published by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Grants Management Division. The MDNR requires communities to have a current and MDNR-approved five-year recreation plan on file, to maintain eligibility for MDNR grant funding programs. This Plan supersedes the previous Bingham Township Recreation Plan, 2019-2023, which had been approved in 2019.
The Plan was formed through a review of the previous Plan, an inventory of park and recreation facilities, an evaluation of proposed parks projects, an analysis of the Township’s demographics, planning methods, and public engagement efforts. This Plan contains the following sections:
- Community Description – a description of the history and geography of the Township
- Administrative Structure – an overview of the Township’s administrative structure, how funding is determined, and how the Township works with volunteers and other agencies
- Recreation Inventory – an inventory of the parks and recreation resources and facilities in the Township, including those owned by the Township and those owned and operated by other entities, as well as other parks and recreation resources in the region
- Planning Process – a summary of the planning process used to form this Plan
- Public Input Process – an overview of the public input process including the community survey, 30-day review period, and public hearing
- Goals and Objectives – details on the goals and objectives for parks and recreation in the Township, including how they were developed and the basis for the goals and objectives
- Action Program – descriptions of the proposed projects and other actions intended by the Township to implement this Plan
Community Description
History
The land which includes Bingham Township encompasses the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe indigenous peoples of the Three Fires Confederacy, the Odawa (Ottawa) the Ojibwa (Chippewa) and Bodowadomi (Pottawatomi). These peoples are represented by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (https://www.gtbindians.org//history.asp).
Bingham Township was originally organized and created from a part of Centerville Township in Leelanau County on October 13, 1864 and acquired its present-day boundaries on December 20, 1864 (https://www.leelanau.gov/binghamtwpabout.asp). The township is named after Kinsley S. Bingham, who was a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and the 11th Governor of Michigan.
Geography
Bingham Township is a rural community located in Northwest Lower Michigan on the Leelanau Peninsula in the Grand Traverse Bay area. The Township encompasses 23.6 square miles and is part of Leelanau County. Bingham Township borders the following communities:
Direction | Adjacent Community |
To the North (by land) | Suttons Bay Township (including the Village of Suttons Bay) |
To the Northwest (corner, by water through Lake Leelanau) | Leland Township (including Lake Leelanau and Leland) |
To the West (by water through Lake Leelanau) | Centerville Township |
To the Southwest (by water through Lake Leelanau) | Solon Township (including Cedar) |
To the South (by land) | Elmwood Charter Township (including Greilickville) |
To the East (by water through West Grand Traverse Bay) | Peninsula Township (in Grand Traverse County) |
Jurisdiction and Focus of this Plan
This Plan was prepared for Bingham Township to help the Township evaluate and plan for parks and recreation needs in the community. Bingham Township exercises jurisdiction over its parks and recreation facilities, which is the focus of this Plan. However, this Plan recognizes potential opportunities for collaborations with other entities as one of its goals. The Plan covers the many different aspects of the parks and recreation system in the Township, including the current status of parks and recreation facilities, administration, policies, and potential future projects.
Local Jurisdiction Map: Bingham Township within Leelanau County
Administrative Structure
Bingham Township Parks and Recreation Committee
The Parks and Recreation Committee (P&R Committee) serves as an advisory committee for the Bingham Township Board of Trustees (Township Board). The P&R Committee comprises up to eleven volunteer members, appointed by the Township Board, and one Township Board member. The P&R Committee operates under a set of bylaws that were developed by the Township Board, with input from the P&R Committee. These bylaws are included in Appendix A.
The P&R Committee maintains a meeting schedule of once per month to discuss issues, projects, and funding. Volunteers serving on the P&R Committee act as stewards of the parks by regularly visiting each park to determine if any repairs or improvements are needed. The P&R Committee presents its findings and requests to the Township Board for consideration and approval.
The P&R Committee is tasked with developing the Community Recreation Plan, which provides recommendations to the Township Board based on a public input process. The Township Board makes final decisions on park expenditures and funding. The Township Board also approves the appointments to the P&R Committee. The P&R Committee was established under the Township Parks and Places of Recreation Act, Public Act 157 of 1905 (MCL 41.421, et seq.).
Township Organization
Members of the Township Board, Planning Commission, and P&R Committee are as follows:
Township Board | Planning Commission | Parks and Recreation Committee |
Midge Werner, Supervisor Kathy Morio, Clerk Sandra Grant, Treasurer Jeff Layman, Trustee Todd Stone, Trustee | Mike Park, Chair Jeff Layman, Vice Chair Catthy Jasinski, Secretary Charlie Dashner Dennis Grant Marie Walker Gary McGee | Ted Cimafranca, Chair Brian Kindt, Vice Chair Dan Rose, Secretary Sue Gibson Jan Stone Todd Stone, Township Board Member |
Annual and Projected Budgets for Operation and Maintenance
The Township’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. The Township Board appropriates an amount each year for parks from the General Fund budget. This includes budget for supplies, utilities, waste pick-up, porta potty rentals, and some capital improvements. In the fiscal year of 2022-2023 about $3,200 of the parks budget was spent on park improvements including signage, two new picnic tables, and repair and painting of picnic tables. The following table incorporates a breakdown of the parks and recreation budgets for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 fiscal years.
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023) | Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) | |||
Line Item | Budgeted | Actual | Budgeted | Actual |
Park Rep per Diem | $480.00 | $480.00 | $480.00 | $480.00 |
Supplies | $250.00 | $154.79 | $500.00 | $76.24 |
Utilities | $300.00 | $266.91 | $300.00 | $286.74 |
Waste Pickup | $600.00 | $709.84 | $800.00 | $1,073.56 |
Porta-Potty Rental | $2,900.00 | $4,892.54 | $3,200.00 | $3,135.25 |
Park Improvements | $7,000.00 | $3,198.88 | $11,425.00 | $5,852.53 |
Total | $11,530.00 | $9,702.96 | $16,705.00 | $10,904.32 |
The Township also maintains two (2) parks and recreation set-aside funds earmarked specifically for major parks improvements and which cannot be used for any other purpose. These funds are intended to be used to supplement any external funding, or as matching funds for any grants that the Township pursues for projects outlined in the Goals and Objectives of this Plan. The amount of set-aside funds varies depending on the Township budget and identified needs. The Township employs its own personnel for some light park maintenance items including sign installation and carpentry. Other tasks are hired out including lawn mowing and fall cleanup.
Volunteers
The budget numbers above do not capture the true costs of operating the Township parks system. In addition, the P&R Committee members track their volunteer hours which provide the bulk of the labor that maintains and improves the parks. Individual P&R Committee members volunteer to act as park stewards at one or more of the Township parks. In this role, they schedule visits to their assigned parks and perform maintenance inspections utilizing a formalized park inspection checklist, carry out light maintenance, and determine if there are urgent repairs or improvements needed. In addition, P&R Committee members meet regularly, and ad hoc in subcommittees, to perform park administrative activities.
The P&R Committee captures this volunteer time, utilizing an estimate of $33.49 per hour as of 2023 (https://independentsector.org/resource/value-of-volunteer-time/) to calculate the true costs of maintenance and operations for the parks system. The tracked volunteer time for the six P&R Committee members in 2023 and 2024 (through May) is as follows:
Year | Total Hours | Hours per Volunteer | Total Volunteer Value Added |
2023 | 997.9 | 166.32 | $33,419.67 |
2024 (thru May) | 203.2 | 33.87 | $6,805.17 |
In addition to the P&R Committee hours, other community residents have stepped up to support the parks. Among these are the By-The-Bay Garden Club of Suttons Bay who volunteer to tend the flowers at Hendryx Park (https://www.suttonsbaychamber.com/by-the-bay-garden-club). No volunteer hours aside from P&R Committee members’ hours are currently tracked.
Current Funding Sources
Funding for the Bingham Township parks system comes from the General Fund, as appropriated by the Township Board. Funding sources for Bingham Township include the Township property tax levy as well as shared revenues from the State. Outside grants are pursued and developed as needed for additional funding. The Township also retains a possibility of seeking voter approval for revenue for special projects.
Relationships with Other Agencies
The Township Board seeks to form collaborative working relationships with other entities where mutually beneficial including the Suttons Bay Township Board of Trustees, Elmwood Township Board of Trustees, Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The Township may explore future collaboration with the Leelanau County Road Commission, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and TART Trails Inc. to create safer access to community recreation facilities, by providing paved road shoulders on some County roads.
The P&R Committee has actively reached out to local parks and recreation committees and other local organizations that support or provide recreation related activities. They have commitments from many of these groups to work together on ways to collaborate that can enhance recreational opportunities for area residents. Groups which have voiced commitments so far are listed below. As one of the goals of this Plan, the P&R Committee will continue pursuing this collaboration.
- Suttons Bay Township Parks and Recreation Committee
- Leland Township Parks and Recreation Committee
- Solon Township Parks and Recreation Committee
- Leelanau County Senior Services
- Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network
- Leelanau Historical Society Museum
- Leland Township Public Library
- Suttons Bay Bingham District Library
- The Center of Suttons Bay | Friendship Community Center
- Old Art Building
- Riverside Shakespeare, LLC
All of Bingham Township is part of the school district of Suttons Bay Public Schools. All of the school district’s facilities are located within the Village of Suttons Bay.
Parks and Recreation Policies and Procedures
Feedback from Township residents, observations from park stewards, and examination of trends from local and national parks and recreation practices are among the sources of information that the P&R Committee uses to maintain and improve the park system.
The Township has a Parks Ordinance establishing regulations for the parks regarding the time of use, general behavior, swimming, littering, vandalism, pets, fireworks, hunting, and other topics. As necessary, the P&R Committee reviews proposed amendments to the Parks Ordinance, which are forwarded on to the Township Board for consideration and potential approval. The currently adopted version of the Parks Ordinance (01-071816) took effect on May 29, 2021. A copy of the Parks Ordinance is included in Appendix B.
The P&R Committee established metal signs at the entrance to each developed park which state each park’s policies in a clearly visible location. These signs are amended to reflect community changes as needed.
Recreation Inventory
Methodology
The Recreation Inventory was prepared by the P&R Committee along with the help of residents with knowledge of the Township’s history. Documents were obtained via research of Township files, library resources, and newspapers.
Inventory of Bingham Township Parks – Overview
Because the Township’s parks are spread out across its 23.6 square mile territory, the options for connecting them as part of a network are costly and challenging. All the parks are accessible by roads but offer no walkways or paths in the immediate vicinity surrounding the parks. Thus, the Township’s near-term focus is providing amenities for those people in the immediate vicinity of each of the parks, along with people who can drive to the parks or who are traveling through the area. The following pages provide an inventory of Township parks.
Site Plans
Site plans were designed in 2008 for Boughey and Hendryx Parks by the P&R Committee, with assistance from Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences, Inc. In 2021, the site plan for Boughey Park was updated to address the limited parking availability and ADA compliance issues, but no projects were pursued from this plan due to cost constraints. There is a site plan currently being developed for Groesser Park based on initial concept drawings for the park. Additional funding will be sought as necessary to carry out the projects in these plans.
Bingham Park
This 1.5-acre park is located on South Lake Leelanau, with its entrance on South Park Road near South Lake Leelanau Drive. The park is a very popular swimming and picnic area and is heavily used in the summer. A small cement break-wall protects a non-dedicated swimming area. In the winter, the park serves as an access route for the movement of fishing shanties and snowmobiles onto the Lake Leelanau ice. Amenities at the park include a playground, basketball court, bench, an ADA-compatible restroom, grills, picnic tables, changing rooms, and trash receptacles.
The area surrounding the park is primarily residential, with many summertime homes. Access is mainly by car or boat.
Boughey Park
This park is located at the east end of Bingham Road near M-22 (S West Bay Shore Drive) along the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay and totals three acres. The property was formerly owned by Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital; it was deeded to Bingham Township in 1953. It lies within a primarily residential area along the bay.
Based on survey data and observations, it is the most used park in the Township. The park has a sandy beach and access to a dedicated and marked swimming area. Other amenities available at the park include a covered pavilion, ADA-compatible picnic tables, benches, grills, volleyball or badminton court, swings, horseshoe pits, ADA-compatible restrooms, and trash receptacles. The park has limited space for parking. A new site plan addresses parking challenges including ADA compliance and will be implemented upon funding availability.
Groesser Park (undeveloped)
This 0.5-acre park is located on M-22 near the end of Hilltop Road next to the MDNR boat ramp site. The park includes sandy shores with a view of West Grand Traverse Bay. The property was bequeathed by a long-time Township resident and is not currently developed, but under the terms of acquisition by the Township it requires improvements to create a park on this property.
The area around the park is a mix of residential and commercial uses with restaurants and shops nearby. It is accessible in the immediate area by footpaths. All future development plans for the park will consider ADA compliance where feasible.
Hendryx Park
This 0.2-acre property on Lee Point Road has been designated a park since 1992 under a 99-year lease from the Leelanau County Road Commission. It is named after James B. Hendryx, a local author who originally bequeathed the park to the Road Commission. The park is very small and is bordered by private residences on both sides. The area around the park is totally residential in character with a mix of permanent and summer homes.
From its sandy shores there are breathtaking views of West Grand Traverse Bay including Power Island. It gets many users during summer with its great swimming area. In winter, when there is substantial ice, this park is used to access the bay for ice fishing and other recreational activities. Amenities at this park include picnic tables, grill, bench, trash removal, and an ADA-compatible restroom. There are no footpaths to this park, but the road allows for easy access.
Mebert Creek Natural Area
Mebert Creek Natural Area includes 153 acres of unimproved natural wetlands along the eastern shore of Lake Leelanau at the end of Donner Road. These parcels were acquired with assistance from Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grants in 1992 and 2000. This property, known for its rich floristic composition and one of only three listed mainland wetlands within the County, is a primary natural resource important in preserving the water quality of Lake Leelanau. The marshy wetlands, with their unique vegetation and terrain, are suitable for snowshoeing and hiking. Some nature trails were created by prior logging activities.
This property was acquired primarily for its unique environmental properties and a desire to keep it in its natural state. It is unlikely to achieve ADA compliance. There are no amenities but there is an upland area suitable for an entrance and parking area. The surrounding areas are residential and agricultural, but the park remains isolated with access primarily by car or boat.
Other Parks in Bingham Township
Leelanau County
Leelanau County owns and operates Veronica Valley Park. This 92.3-acre park is located at the junction of S. Maple Valley Road and S. Lake Leelanau Drive. The County acquired the site in December 2008 with assistance from a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant award, Rotary Charities, and Leelanau County; it was previously a privately-owned golf course. The park is planned mostly for passive recreation with trails meandering through its rolling hills and wetlands, but there is also a kid’s fishing pond here as well as picnic and play areas. Future plans envision a nature center and educational center. The park is partially ADA compliant and is surrounded by residential and agricultural areas.
State of Michigan
The State of Michigan maintains the following parks and recreational assets in the Township:
- DNR Boat Ramp: Lake Leelanau (East) – This 3-acre boat launch site is located at the west end of Bingham Road off Lake Leelanau Drive; it provides boating access to Lake Leelanau. This site has a picnic area, self-contained toilets, boat cleaning station, and a parking lot with 21 spaces, and provides winter access for ice boats and fishing shanties.
- DNR Boat Ramp: West Grand Traverse Bay – This boat launch site is located on M-22 near the east end of Hilltop Road. It is the only boat access to West Grand Traverse Bay between Elmwood Township and Suttons Bay and is used extensively by fishermen and boaters. The site has a restroom and a parking lot with 36 spaces.
- M-22 Roadside Park – Located just south of the DNR Boat Ramp: West Grand Traverse Bay, this site includes access to the bay and has a picnic table and trash receptacle.
- M-22 Overlook Area – The State has a small parcel along M-22 south of Bingham Road, with an overlook of West Grand Traverse Bay and Power Island. There are no facilities.
Non-Profit Assets
The Rex Dobson Ruby Ellen Farm is a privately-owned historic farm, located on South Center Highway, near the west end of East Shady Lane. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is operated by a non-profit foundation. According to the organization’s website, the “Ruby Ellen Farm will use its natural and cultural resources to educate and inspire stewardship, self-sufficiency, and balanced relationships with nature and the community.”
The site includes multiple museums with farming artifacts, several of which have been provided by the Township, documenting the history of the farm since 1865. There are walking and skiing trails on the property as well. More information is available at: https://rubyellenfarm.org/.
The Leelanau Trail is a 17-mile paved trail between Traverse City and Suttons Bay and passing through Bingham Township. This non-motorized trail runs along a former rail corridor, offering opportunities for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing. This trail is owned and operated by TART Trails, Inc. and is part of the TART Trails system of non-motorized trails in Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties. There is a trailhead on the Leelanau Trail at East Shady Lane Road in Bingham Township near the trail’s highest point. More information is available at the following website: https://traversetrails.org/trails/leelanau-trail/.
The Leelanau Conservancy owns and manages two parcels in Bingham Township: Mebert Creek Preserve (40 acres) and Greeno Preserve (21 acres). Both sites are adjacent to the Mebert Creek Natural Area managed by the Township and include some natural trails. The trout stream and the land parcels are critical to the health of Lake Leelanau and are an important wildlife corridor.
Commercial Assets
Located off East Otto Road, Bahle Farms Golf Course is a privately-owned 18-hole golf course with public access.
Other Parks in Leelanau County
Other Municipalities
The villages of Cedar, Glen Arbor, Maple City, Northport, and Suttons Bay all have small parks with various amenities that serve residents and visitors. Most of the parks are on or near bodies of water making them ideal for year-round recreation. Herman Park, in Suttons Bay Township just over the border with Bingam Township to the north, offers pickleball courts, a dog park that includes both small dog and large dog areas, bicycle pump track, disc golf course, tennis courts, and many more recreational opportunities.
Leelanau County
Other than Veronica Valley Park located in Bingham Township, Leelanau County maintains two other parks: Myles Kimmerly Park and Old Settlers’ Park. More information on these parks can be found at the following website: https://www.leelanau.gov/countyparks.asp.
Park | Description |
Myles Kimmerly Park 1397 West Burdickville Road Maple City, MI 49664 | This 143-acre park, which includes the 4-H park, is located in Kasson Township on both sides of County Road 616 and offers opportunities for soccer, baseball, tennis, disc golf, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. |
Old Settlers' Park 8854 South Dunns Farm Road Maple City, MI 49664 | This is a 6.5-acre park located in Empire Township on the southeastern shore of Glen Lake, on County Road 675, and offers a historic chapel available for use and a wildflower meadow garden. |
State of Michigan
The State of Michigan maintains two parks in Leelanau County: Leelanau State Park and South Fox Island. More information regarding these two parks can be found at the following website: https://www.leelanau.gov/stateparks.asp.
Park | Description |
Leelanau State Park Size: 1,300 acres | Leelanau State Park offers a Lighthouse and Museum, rustic campgrounds along Lake Michigan, two mini cabins (each with room to sleep four), 8.5 miles of hiking and skiing trails, and a picnic area with a shelter and playground. |
South Fox Island Size: 1,206 acres | South Fox Island is included in the Little Beaver Island State Game Area. This area was opened in October 2001. |
National Park Service
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of three national lakeshores in the country and is managed by the National Park Service, part of the United States Department of the Interior. This park stretches along 35 miles of Lake Michigan coastline, and includes North and South Manitou Islands, for a total of 71,199 acres. The park was established in 1970 and is a major attraction of the Northwest Michigan region. More information about Sleeping Bear Dunes is available at the following website: https://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm.
Trails
Leelanau County is home to a portion of US Bicycle Route 35, part of the United States Bicycle Route System. US Bicycle Route 35 connects many trails and on-road segments to form a route connecting the states of Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. The segment of this route within Michigan runs approximately 500 miles between Sault Saint Marie and New Buffalo. More information can be found at the Michigan Department of Transportation website: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/safety/road-users/bicycling/us-bicycle-routes.
The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a non-motorized trail, running within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Trail users can enjoy the park’s natural and historic features and connect to the towns of Empire and Glen Arbor. More information on this trail is available at the following website: https://traversetrails.org/trails/sleeping-bear-heritage-trail/.
Leelanau Conservancy
Established in 1988, the Leelanau Conservancy helps protect land in the county for preservation and environmental stewardship, including wetlands and critical farmland which give the county its rural character. The Leelanau Conservancy has protected over 18,000 acres of land across its 27 properties. Most properties offer some form of recreation. A chart showing all Conservancy properties is available on the following page, and more information is available at the following website: https://leelanauconservancy.org/explore/.
Property Name | Recreational Opportunities |
Belanger Creek Preserve | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Cedar River Preserve | Birding, Boating, Canoe/Kayak, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Chippewa Run Natural Area | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing |
Clay Cliffs Natural Area | Birding, Fishing, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Crystal River | Birding, Canoe/Kayak, Fishing |
DeYoung Natural Area | Birding, Canoe/Kayak, Fishing, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting, XC-Skiing |
Finton Natural Area | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Frazier-Freeland Preserve | Hunting |
Gull Island Preserve | Ecologically Sensitive |
Hall Beach – Leland | Canoe/Kayak, Hiking / Snowshoeing |
Hatlem Creek Preserve | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Houdek Dunes Natural Area | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting, XC-Skiing |
Jeff Lamont Preserve | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing |
Kehl Lake Natural Area | Birding, Boating, Canoe/Kayak, Fishing, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Krumwiede Forest Reserve | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting, XC-Skiing |
Leland Village Green | Birding |
Lighthouse West Natural Area | Birding, Canoe/Kayak, Fishing, Hiking / Snowshoeing, XC-Skiing |
Mebert Creek & Greeno Preserve | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Narrows Natural Area | Birding, Boating, Canoe/Kayak, Fishing |
Nedows Bay | Birding, Boating, Canoe/Kayak, Fishing |
Palmer Woods Forest Reserve | Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting, Mountain Biking, XC-Skiing |
Pat’s Preserve at Lime Lake | Hiking / Snowshoeing |
Soper Natural Area | Ecologically Sensitive, Hunting |
Stites Natural Area | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing |
Swanson Preserve | Birding, Canoe/Kayak, Fishing, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Teichner Preserve | Birding, Canoe/Kayak, Hiking / Snowshoeing, Hunting |
Whaleback Natural Area | Birding, Hiking / Snowshoeing |
Location Map
This Recreation Inventory includes the assets of Bingham Township, along with other parks and recreation resources owned by Leelanau County, the State of Michigan, non-profit organizations, neighboring communities, and commercial interests. A map of parks and recreation resources in Bingham Township is provided in Appendix C.
Accessibility Assessment
The accessibility assessment for this Plan was completed by the P&R Committee, with guidance from the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessibility Design.
Bingham Township – Recreational Facilities Accessibility Chart | ||
Facility | Grade | Notes |
Bingham Park | 2 | The park has ADA tables and restrooms and some pathways. The building and beach are not ADA compliant. Improvements to accessibility will be made as funding is available. |
Boughey Park | 2 | The park has ADA tables and restrooms and some pathways. The building and beach are not ADA compliant. A new site plan addresses these issues. Improvements to accessibility will be made as funding is available. |
Groesser Park | 1 | The park has yet to be developed but will take ADA guidelines into consideration when designed. Funding will be required to develop. |
Hendryx Park | 2 | The park has ADA tables and restrooms but access to the beach is not ADA compliant. Improvements to accessibility can be made with funding. |
Mebert Creek Natural Area | 1 | The park is intended to remain “natural” so is unlikely to be fully ADA compliant. |
Grant History – Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grants
Bingham Township has received two Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grants in its history, in 1992 and 2000 respectively. Both of these were acquisition grants for Mebert Creek Natural Area, one grant in 1992 to purchase the initial 140 acres of the park and another grant in 2000 to add 16 acres to the park. The following is a status report for all grant-assisted parks and recreation facilities in Bingham Township through the MNRTF program.
Mebert Creek Natural Area | ||
Project No. | TF92-019 | Project Description: Acquisition of 140-acre wetland site with 4,000 feet of frontage on Lake Leelanau for Township-owned natural area. |
Project County | Leelanau | |
Project Year | 1992 | |
Project Status | Grant Closed | |
Grant Amount | $75,000.00 | |
Addition to Mebert Creek Natural Area Acquisition | ||
Project No. | TF00-365 | Project Description: Acquisition in fee simple of approximately 16 acres to add to the 140-acre Mebert Creek Natural Area. The upland property would be used for parking and a trail head, and hunting will be permitted on the entire property. |
Project County | Leelanau | |
Project Year | 2000 | |
Project Status | Grant Closed | |
Grant Amount | $27,000.00 | |
A sign has been erected at the park acknowledging the funds received through the MNRTF grant program. Post-completion self-certification reports on these grants are included in Appendix D.
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians – 2% Grants
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) offers a grant opportunity to local governmental units using funds set aside from 2% of its video gaming revenue. The grant program is intended for communities that are impacted by the location of the tribal casino in its vicinity. Applications are accepted for both spring and fall grant cycles.
Bingham Township has received five 2% grants from the GTB for work in three of their parks. The work for the projects was done by the Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan YouthWorks Program.
- Bingham Park (2023) – Update changing rooms
- Boughey Park (2020) – Refurbish pavilion
- Groesser Park (2021, 2022, 2023) – Start initial site clearance
Planning Process
The planning process used in developing this Plan involved several steps. The P&R Committee reviewed the previous Community Recreation Plan (2019-2023) approved in 2019, to determine what information from the previous Plan was still relevant and as a starting point for creation of the new Plan. The goals from the previous Plan were reviewed and of those goals, several were found not to be applicable, and the rest had been completed.
Bingham Township and the P&R Committee, along with the assistance of Gosling Czubak, have also worked to create site plans for future site improvements at Boughey Park and Groesser Park. The projects in the site plan for Boughey Park are being re-evaluated due to the cost constraints, whereas the site plan for Groesser Park is in its early stage of development. Further progress on these site plans will continue the planning process for these parks, and their completion is a high-priority element of the Action Program in this Plan.
The P&R Committee also conducted a survey as part of information gathering, which influenced the planning process used in the creation of this Plan. Details of the survey are described further in the Public Input Process section of this Plan.
Planning Methods
According to the MDNR’s Guidelines for the Development of Community Parks and Recreation Plans, park and recreation providers “are encouraged to choose planning methods that work best for their community.” This Plan does not strictly follow any specific planning method, although elements of three planning methods described in the MDNR Guidelines are utilized as follows:
- Comparison to park metrics – The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), a national nonprofit advocating for parks and recreation causes, maintains a data source for parks management known as NRPA Park Metrics. NRPA indicates that the “typical park and recreation agency offers one park for every 2,386 residents served, with 10.6 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.” The Township exceeds this benchmark; with a population of 2,596 people, the Township maintains five parks and over 150 acres of parkland. The Township has a goal in this Plan of developing park metrics to better understand park use and confront the challenges of overuse, since visitors to the Township also use the parks. The Township may review the NRPA Park Metrics as a guide when forming its own park metrics.
- System planning – As it relates to parks, system planning refers to considering parks and recreation facilities as part of a larger, interconnected system of public infrastructure and civic realm. Some aspects of system planning are more suitable for larger municipalities which manage vast public infrastructure systems. However, the Township recognizes the impact of parks and recreation on other aspects of the community. People responding to the survey, when asked why they use the parks, most commonly said they enjoyed being outside; overall health, fitness, and wellbeing; and gathering with friends. This indicates benefits to the quality of life, health, and social wellbeing of the community. These park and recreation facilities are also tied to the community’s natural resources, especially the Mebert Creek Natural Area, which helps preserve and protect the natural environment of the Township. System planning can be advanced via collaboration. One of the goals for this Plan is potential collaboration with other governmental entities, especially regarding funding opportunities. Understanding how each governmental entity contributes to these interconnected systems can enhance collaborative efforts.
- Equity-based planning – Equity-based planning envisions a park and recreation system which is accessible to everybody in a community and where people work to remove and redress the barriers to participation for any members of a community. The demographic profile of the Township, part of the Basis for the Goals and Objectives, provides insights on the socioeconomic makeup of the community in comparison with the County and the State. Several goals of this Plan can advance equity-based planning, such as accounting for ADA and universal design principles in future park projects, collaboration with other entities, and developing park metrics. The P&R Committee is also available to hear any concerns regarding discriminatory treatment or other equity issues and may recommend potential actions to deal with issues as they arise.
Public Input Process
Survey
The Parks and Recreation Committee sent out an online survey on the Township’s parks in July 2024. The Committee used Google Forms to create the survey and collected responses through August 8, 2024. Information regarding the survey is included in the following appendices:
- Appendix E – Survey Form
- Appendix F – Survey Cover Letter with QR Code
- Appendix G – Survey Notice
- Appendix H – Survey Distribution List
- Appendix I – Survey Results
Key trends observed in the survey results include the following:
- Question 1: Which of the following activities do you and your family presently participate in? Please check all that apply.
The most frequently cited responses to this question were swimming / beach, picnicking, and children’s play equipment
- Question 2: How often do you use these Township Parks & Recreation facilities?
This question inquired how frequently people used each of the Bingham Township parks. The most frequently used park among respondents was Bingham Park with a plurality of respondents indicating they use the park 2-4 times per year. Hendryx Park and Boughey Park had similar levels of usage among respondents, with Mebert Creek Natural Area as the least-used park.
- Question 3: Bingham Township is developing a website that will be able to direct you to other activities in our area. What other activities would you utilize more, if the website provided updated information.
People were most interested in more information about classes, crafting, museums, book clubs, and dancing.
- Question 4: How important is having the following types of basic amenities at Parks & Recreation facilities in Bingham Township?
The most important amenities identified by the survey respondents included water safety, adequate parking, seating, clean bathrooms, and trash receptacles.
- Question 5: Please tell us why you use the park & recreation facilities. Check all that apply.
Top responses to this question were that the people enjoyed being outside; overall health, fitness, and wellbeing; and gathering with friends.
- Question 6: Which of these aspects of the Bingham Township Parks need improvement? If you haven’t used them mark NA.
The most frequently cited improvement areas are the parking, children’s play equipment, and bathrooms at Boughey Park, along with the same features plus tables and benches at future parks.
- Question 7: Please share any additional comments or suggestions for the Bingham Township Parks and Recreation Facilities. Please be specific (name the park).
People were given an opportunity to write their own feedback in an open-ended response question. Some comments included suggestions to restrict dog activity at Hendryx Park, make improvements at Boughey Park, acquire additional parkland, maintain the focus of parks for local residents, and better access to information on area recreational activities.
- Question 8: A lot of people visit our parks. We’d like to know more about your residency.
Survey respondents included 76% year-round township residents, 16% seasonal township residents, and 8% visitors.
The survey also inquired about the respondent’s age, the number of people by age group that live in the respondent’s household, and if anyone was interested in serving on the P&R Committee or as a volunteer in another capacity.
30-Day Public Review Period
At their September 9, 2024 meeting, the P&R Committee reviewed the draft Plan and released it for the 30-day public review period.
**** The following is the proposed remaining timeline as of the release of this draft Plan for the 30-day review period. Dates beyond September 9, 2024 have yet to be finalized. ****
The legal notice for the 30-day review period was published in the September 12, 2024 edition of the Leelanau Enterprise. This 30-day review period ran through October 12, 2024, during which the draft Plan was available to view at Bingham Township Hall, at Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, or on the Township website at: https://www.leelanau.gov/binghamtwp.asp. Legal notice and an affidavit of publication for the September 12, 2024 publication is provided in Appendix J.
Following the 30-day review period, the P&R Committee reviewed the comments received from the public at their October 14, 2024 meeting and conducted a final review of the draft Plan. The P&R Committee motioned to recommend the Plan to the Township Board.
Public Hearing and Resolution of Adoption
At their October 21, 2024 meeting, the Township Board received the draft Plan and motioned to schedule a public hearing for their November 18, 2024 meeting. The legal notice for this public hearing was published in the October 24, 2024 edition of the Leelanau Enterprise. Legal notice and an affidavit of publication for the October 24, 2024 publication is provided in Appendix K.
At their November 18, 2024 meeting, the Township Board held the public hearing to review the final version of the Plan and passed a resolution to adopt the Plan. Minutes for this meeting are provided in Appendix L. The Resolution of Adoption is provided in Appendix M.
Timetable of Adoption | |
September 9, 2024 P&R Committee |
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September 12, 2024 Leelanau Enterprise |
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October 12, 2024 |
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October 14, 2024 P&R Committee |
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October 21, 2024 Township Board |
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October 24, 2024 Leelanau Enterprise |
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November 18, 2024 Township Board |
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Goals and Objectives
Development of the Goals and Objectives
The P&R Committee developed the Goals and Objectives for this Plan by gathering information through the planning process and the public input process. The P&R Committee also conducted a review of the previous Bingham Township Recreation Plan, which was in effect between 2019 and 2023. The goals of the previous Plan were reviewed and of those goals, several were found not to be applicable, and the rest had been completed.
The following Basis for the Goals and Objectives describes the impact of specific factors on the development of the Goals and Objectives of the Plan.
Basis for the Goals and Objectives
The following specific factors influenced the Goals and Objectives formed as part of this Plan:
Demographics
Creation of this Plan included a demographic analysis of Bingham Township and comparison to Leelanau County and the State of Michigan. This data provides insight into the community and is important when considering both current and future recreational opportunities. The data used in this analysis is from the Census Reporter which compiles data from the United States Census Bureau, primarily the 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.
Bingham Township Demographic Profile
Data: https://censusreporter.org/profiles/06000US2608908440-bingham-township-leelanau-county-mi/
Topic | Bingham Twp. | Leelanau County | State of Michigan |
Population - Total population - Population Under 18 - Population 18-64 - Population 65 and over | 2,596 12% 57% 32% | 22,426 16% 52% 32% | 10,034,118 21% 60% 19% |
Median age | 57.1 | 55.2 | 39.9 |
Race and ethnicity - White - Black / African American - American Indian / Alaska Native - Asian - Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander - Some other race - Two or more races - Hispanic / Latino of any race | 91.1% 0.2% 0% 0.1% 0% 0.1% 2.4% 6.2% | 89.6% 0.4% 2.6% 0.6% 0.1% 0.3% 2.1% 4.4% | 73.5% 13.4% 0.4% 3.2% 0% 0.3% 3.7% 5.5% |
Per capita income Median household income | $44,336 $78,942 | $48,491 $82,345 | $37,929 $68,505 |
Persons below the poverty line | 3.4% | 6.7% | 13.1% |
Mean travel time to work (minutes) Transportation to work: drove alone | 22.4 83% | 24.3 77% | 24.5 77% |
Total number of households Persons per household | 1,094 2.4 | 9,246 2.4 | 4,009,253 2.5 |
Number of housing units Median housing value (owner-occupied) | 1,379 $316,800 | 15,474 $371,200 | 4,580,447 $201,100 |
Ratio of households to housing units | 79.3% | 59.8% | 87.5% |
Education: High school grad or higher Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher | 97.3% 46.7% | 96.3% 48.6% | 91.8% 31.1% |
Trends observed in the above demographic analysis include the following:
- The Township and county have a higher percentage of population age 65+ than the state
- The Township and county have a higher median age than the state
- The Township and county have a higher median household income than the state
- The Township and county have a lower percentage of persons in poverty than the state
- The Township and county have a higher median housing value than the state
- The Township has a lower ratio of households to housing units than the state, but a higher ratio than that of the county
Rural Character and Development Patterns
The Township is mostly rural and agricultural in character. Some defining agricultural attributes include cherry orchards, apple orchards, wine vineyards, and other farming operations. There is little commercial development within the Township. Residential development includes seasonal and year-round single-family homes as well as many condominiums and seasonal rentals, which are a growing entity in the county. The area is known as a summertime destination, and housing availability is very limited. Most beachfront areas are developed, and the rolling scenic hillsides are also considered prime development areas.
Transportation
Bingham Township is traversed by the following major roadways:
- M-22 (South W Bay Shore Drive) – M-22 connects Traverse City to Manistee along the Lake Michigan shoreline. In Bingham Township, M-22 is a two-lane road and in recent years has seen a major increase in traffic volumes. In 1997, at one location, there was a recorded average daily traffic (ADT) count of 6,900 vehicles. The ADT can rise as high as 12,000 vehicles (6/2014) at peak times with an expected annual growth of 1.5%.
- Leelanau County Road 618 (East Bingham Road) – Bingham Road runs between M-22 and South Lake Leelanau Drive, connecting the MDNR boat launch on Lake Leelanau to the west with Boughey Park on West Grand Traverse Bay to the east.
- Leelanau County Road 633 (South Center Highway) – This road connects Fouch Road and Cherry Bend Road in Elmwood Township to South Elm Street in Suttons Bay, and it provides a key interior roadway link to neighboring communities.
- Leelanau County Road 641 (South Lake Leelanau Drive) – This road is part of a longer highway in the county which runs mainly along the eastern shore of Lake Leelanau from Bugai Road and East Fouch Road in Elmwood Township to M-22 in Leland Township.
Public transportation within the county and township is provided by the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA). The main BATA route serving Bingham Township is Village Loop Route 10, with stops at Fort Road and Shady Lane Market.
The Leelanau Trail, part of the TART Trails system, is a 17-mile paved trail connecting Traverse City and Suttons Bay and passing through Bingham Township. The trail offers opportunities not only for recreation including walking, biking, and cross-county skiing, but also opportunities for non-motorized transportation within the area.
Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation
Bingham Township is part of a distinct economic area prized for its scenic natural resources and abundant opportunities for recreation. The township’s most distinctive natural features are Lake Leelanau, which comprises its western border, and West Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan, which comprises its eastern border. The county also has many smaller interior lakes and ponds.
These freshwater lakes are a major recreational draw. Five of the township’s parks border either Lake Leelanau or West Grand Traverse Bay. These lakes are used extensively by the township’s residents and are a major year-round attraction for visitors.
Outdoor recreation provides opportunities for residents to choose an active and healthy lifestyle. Based on data from the Wisconsin Population Health Institute with funding by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps), Leelanau County has been ranked as the #1 healthiest county in Michigan for five consecutive years. The study was based on two categories of health outcomes (life expectancy and quality of life) and health factors (social and economic factors and the physical environment of the county).
Public Input
In 2024, the P&R Committee conducted a survey to understand how people use the township’s parks and to see what changes or improvements are desired. This survey encompassed several questions, and the following feedback was received:
- For the question of: “Which of the following activities do you and your family presently participate in?”, the most frequently cited responses were swimming / beach, picnicking, and children’s play equipment
- The most frequently used park among respondents was Bingham Park with a plurality of respondents indicating they use the park 2-4 times per year. Hendryx Park and Boughey Park had similar levels of usage among respondents, with Mebert Creek Natural Area as the least-used park.
- Bingham Township is developing a website to direct people to other recreation activities available in the area. When asked which activities they wanted more information about, people indicated classes, crafting, museums, book clubs, and dancing.
- People were asked about the importance of certain basic amenities at the township parks. The most important amenities identified included water safety, adequate parking, seating, clean bathrooms, and trash receptacles
- The survey asked why people use the parks and recreation facilities. The top answers for this question were that the respondents enjoyed being outside; overall health, fitness, and wellbeing; and gathering with friends.
- People were asked which aspects of Bingham Park, Boughey Park, and Hendryx Park, as well as future township parks, needed improvement. People frequently cited the parking, children’s play equipment, and bathrooms at Boughey Park, along with the same features plus tables and benches at future parks.
- People were given an opportunity to write their own feedback in an open-ended response question. Since this was an open-ended question there are no common responses, but the comments submitted included suggestions to restrict dog activity at Hendryx, make some improvements at Boughey Park, acquire additional parkland, maintain the focus of parks for local residents, and improve access to information on area recreational activities.
- The survey asked a question about residency. Of these respondents, 76% are year-round township residents, 16% are seasonal township residents, and 8% are visitors.
Goals and Objectives
The Goals and Objectives for this Plan were developed with the information gathered during the planning process and public input process. The Basis for the Goals and Objectives, as described above, also guided the development of these Goals and Objectives. These Goals and Objectives also provide the basis for the Action Program of this Plan.
Goal #1 – Boughey Park
Construct a new parking lot for Boughey Park
Objectives:
- 1.1 – Review previous site plan (Plan #1) and cost estimates for a parking area inside the park, with the objective of bringing this project within the Township budget. If not, seek Township Board approval for funding for an updated site plan (Plan #2) for a parking lot on the park boundary, and identify and seek funding opportunities to enable construction of Plan #2.
- 1.2 – Verify final design, set timelines, and seek construction bids upon determination of the final plan and securing funding.
- 1.3 – Construct parking lot as per bid.
The current parking area for Boughey Park is on County Road right-of-way, posing risks for the public. It is also undersized for the usage of the park and has no dedicated barrier-free parking spaces. Gosling Czubak previously prepared a Site Plan and Engineering Study for this project and may be sought to update the site plan. Survey respondents frequently cited the parking area at Boughey Park as a needed upgrade.
Goal #2 – Groesser Park
Establish Groesser Park for public use
Objectives:
- 2.1 – Develop necessary site plans and engineering studies and seek funding to construct the park infrastructure as per deed restrictions.
- 2.2 – Develop a plan for seeking funding.
- 2.3 – Verify final design, set timelines, and seek construction bids upon determination of the final plan and securing funding.
- 2.4 – Construct the park infrastructure as per site plan and bid.
This property was deeded from the Groesser family to the Township years ago for the purpose of developing a park accessible to all. Some deed restrictions need to be met. While some clearing has been done, funding is a major challenge in developing infrastructure at this park. People in the survey indicated that developing features at future parks is a needed improvement.
Goal #3 – Communication
Provide consistent communication of parks and recreation topics with the public
Objectives:
- 3.1 – Create a dedicated parks and recreation website with an overview of park facilities, news about local park and recreation opportunities, park usage policies, opportunities for volunteering, and contact information.
- 3.2 – Improve communication through the use of kiosks and enhanced signage.
- 3.3 – Consider additional means of communication, including social media and the press.
Bingham Township would like to better communicate with the public about parks and recreation amenities, regulations, and use opportunities. Improved signage and online information are key tools for community interaction. Respondents to the survey indicated classes, crafting, museums, book clubs, and dancing as recreational activities they would like more information about.
Goal #4 – ADA Improvements
Improve existing park facilities and provide barrier-free access to meet ADA requirements
Objectives:
- 4.1 – Identify needed improvements for ADA compliance at each park’s facilities.
- 4.2 – Create plans with timelines to make needed changes to address ADA deficiencies.
- 4.3 – Adress any deficiencies per the plan’s timeline schedule and funding availability.
The Township recognizes the need to improve ADA accessibility to park infrastructure. Some of the parks have already seen some improvements to help meet ADA requirements. The Township will account for ADA and universal design principles, along with its own budgetary capabilities, when considering future projects. The Township has a long-term goal of achieving greater ADA compliance throughout the park system.
Goal #5 – Mebert Creek Natural Area
Consider appropriate improvements at Mebert Creek Natural Area
Objectives:
- 5.1 – Consider responsible development opportunities via discussions with other entities, while maintaining the current identity of the park.
- 5.2 – Develop a plan if potential improvements are identified.
- 5.3 – Implement plan per funding availability.
Mebert Creek is a unique watershed vital to the health of Lake Leelanau; future improvements to this park must be considered carefully. Based on previous surveys, most people support keeping the natural character of the park, with minimal changes. The P&R Committee would review the status of the park and determine if any changes can or should be made.
Goal #6 – Safety and Security
Enhance the safety and security of the parks
Objectives:
- 6.1 – Identify any safety and security issues regarding the parks.
- 6.2 – Develop a safety, security, and risk management plan addressing safety and security issues, per Township Board directives.
- 6.3 – Implement the safety, security, and risk management plan per funding availability.
The Township wishes for all residents and park users to safely and securely enjoy the parks. The Township intends to develop a safety, security, and risk management plan to guide policy toward these issues.
Goal #7 – Volunteers
Recruit and maintain a robust volunteer group
Objectives:
- 7.1 – Identify opportunities and tasks which may be accomplished by volunteers.
- 7.2 – Create a volunteer policy.
- 7.3 – Create and implement a volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition plan.
The P&R Committee has a limited capacity in what it can accomplish due to its limited size and personnel turnover. Some minor maintenance tasks and the tending of flowers at Hendryx Park are already done through volunteer efforts. To continue to maintain the parks and to implement new ideas, growing the volunteer group is critical.
Goal #8 – Reforestation
Plant additional trees and vegetation to reforest the parks
Objectives:
- 8.1 – Identify and inventory existing flora in all parks.
- 8.2 – Identify desired species for plantings with help from local arborists.
- 8.3 – Create a design plan for plantings in each park.
- 8.4 – Determine costs for each park and identify funding for the projects.
- 8.5 – Plant trees as funding allows, prioritizing parks as needed.
The trees and shrubs in the Township parks are mature. They are kept trimmed to maintain their health, but they will need to be replaced as they age. Building an inventory of existing trees and shrubs allows the Township to identify near-term and long-term needs for replacement plantings and to repopulate trees and shrubs before they age out. Trees and shrubs are part of the natural resources of the community and the Township wishes to protect these natural resources.
Goal # 9 – Collaboration
Pursue potential collaboration of parks and recreation opportunities with other governmental entities or organizations for the purpose of better funding
Objectives:
- 9.1 – Identify parks and recreation opportunities which need outsourced funding.
- 9.2 – Identify other communities with similar desired funding needs.
- 9.3 – Pursue potential collaboration with other organizations.
Bingham Township is a small community with a limited ability to acquire funding via some grant sources. The Township intends on collaborating with other like-minded communities to improve the chances of acquiring grant funding for certain projects.
Goal #10 – Park Metrics
Develop metrics to help determine park usage
Objectives:
- 10.1 – Identify which metrics to measure to determine park usage.
- 10.2 – Establish means for measuring selected metrics.
- 10.3 – Work with local groups such as schools to measure and interpret data.
- 10.4 – Use information gathered to establish parameters for future park usage.
The Township parks are seeing greater usage each year as people recognize the value of outdoor activities. With increased usage comes potential issues including crowding, facility degradation, misuse, and more. The Township desires to better understand the extent of park use and develop parameters for park use so that the parks do not suffer from overuse.
Goal #11 – Future Acquisitions
Acquire additional land that becomes available for providing open space in the Township
Objectives:
- 11.1 – Identify needs and desired additional parkland beyond the existing parks.
- 11.2 – Identify funds to acquire parcels if needs exist and suitable parcels are available.
The Township is open to acquiring additional parkland, provided that funding is available. The acquisition of additional parkland helps to protect natural resources as well as help to preserve the rural character of the Township. In the open-ended response question on the public survey, one respondent indicated their support for the Township acquiring additional parkland.
Action Program
Development of the Action Program
The Action Program for this Plan is based on the Goals and Objectives as described above. The Action Program is meant to guide the Township in implementing the Goals and Objectives over the next five years by identifying actions to help the Township meet the Goals and Objectives.
This Action Program does not include a capital improvement schedule. Because funding for the projects is limited, the schedule for completing each project is dependent on funding availability. If desired, the Township may choose to create a capital improvement schedule to implement the projects in this Action Program.
Site Plans
As depicted previously in this Plan, a site plan was recently updated for Boughey Park and a site plan for Groesser Park is in development as well. The highest-priority project for Boughey Park is the construction of a parking lot. Projects for Groesser Park may include the construction of a parking lot and some basic amenities and park infrastructure.
The site plan for Boughey Park was updated in 2021, but no projects were pursued from the plan due to cost constraints. The Groesser Park site plan is currently in the beginning of development based on initial concept drawings. Completion of the site plans is a high-priority element of this Action Program since it will provide accurate information to the Township regarding the costs of improvements to these parks.
Public Information
The Township is developing a website with an overview of park facilities, news about local park and recreation opportunities, park use policies, volunteer opportunities, and contact information. The Township has looked at the websites of nearby communities, such as Suttons Bay Parks and Recreation (https://suttonsbayparks.org/), for some potential models for organizing their website. The P&R Committee will ultimately be responsible for updating and maintaining information on the website and gathering feedback from residents.
Operations and Maintenance
The Township will continue tracking volunteer hours to understand the true cost of the parks and recreation operations and maintenance needs. Other tasks such as lawn mowing and fall cleanup will most likely continue to be hired out as needed.