Parks, Trails and Natural Areas Master Plan

2014 - 2018 Kent County Parks Department 1700 Butterworth Dr SW • Grand Rapids MI 49534 (616) 632-7275 (PARK) • FAX: (616) 336-2998 www.KentCountyParks.org • [email protected] www.facebook.com/KentCountyParks Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...... 5 Community Description ...... 6 Jurisdiction and Focus ...... 6 Population ...... 6 Physical Characteristics ...... 8 Zoning ...... 8 Natural Features ...... 8 Administrative Structure ...... 11 Governing Body ...... 11 Department Staffing ...... 11 Annual Budget ...... 12 General Operations and Maintenance ...... 12 Capital Improvement Projects ...... 13 Parkland Acquisition Fund ...... 13 Special Project Funds ...... 13 Current and Projected Annual Budget ...... 14 Funding Sources ...... 14 Operations and Maintenance ...... 15 Capital Improvement Projects ...... 15 Role of Volunteers ...... 15 Collaborations ...... 17 Relationships with Public Agencies ...... 17 Relationships with School Districts ...... 18 Relationships with Private Organizations ...... 18 Relationships with Local Foundations ...... 20 Recreation Inventory ...... 21 Methods Used to Conduct Inventory ...... 21 Kent County Parks and Trails ...... 21 Other Recreational Facilities in Kent County ...... 22 Inventory of Kent County Parks and Trails ...... 23 Summary of Sites Owned or Managed by Kent County Parks ...... 24 Parks and Open Spaces ...... 25 MINI-PARKS ...... 26 Bettes Memorial Park ...... 26 Coldwater River Park ...... 27 Fisk Knob Park ...... 28 Lamoreaux Memorial Park ...... 29 Ruehs (Fred W .) Park ...... 30 COMMUNITY PARKS ...... 31 12 Mile Conservation Area ...... 31 Caledonia Lakeside Park ...... 32 Creekside Park ...... 34 Dutton Shadyside Park ...... 36 Dwight Lydell Park ...... 38 Gordon Park ...... 40 Myers Lake Park ...... 42 Provin Trails Park ...... 44 White Pine Park ...... 45 LARGE PARKS ...... 46 Brewer Park ...... 46 Chief Hazy Cloud Park ...... 48 Douglas Walker Park ...... 50 Knapp Valley Forest ...... 52 Lepard Nature Preserve ...... 54 Paris Park ...... 56 Rogue River Park ...... 57 Townsend Park ...... 60 Two Rivers Parkland ...... 62 Wabasis Lake Park ...... 64 Wabasis Lake Park: Wabasis Lake Campground ...... 66 REGIONAL PARKS ...... 68 Cooper Creek Park and Spencer Forest ...... 68 Fallasburg Park ...... 70 Johnson Park ...... 72 Lamoreaux (Donald J .) Park ...... 74 Long Lake Park ...... 76 Lowell Regional Parkland ...... 78 Luton Park ...... 80 Millennium Park ...... 82 Palmer Park ...... 86 Palmer Park: L .E . Kaufman Golf Course ...... 88 Pickerel Lake Park - Fred Meijer Nature Preserve ...... 90 Seidman Park ...... 92 Thornapple Riverbend Parkland ...... 94 Wahlfield Park ...... 96 SPECIAL USE AREA ...... 98 Kroes Parkland ...... 98 Trails and Trail Systems ...... 99 CONNECTOR TRAILS ...... 100 Kent Trails ...... 100 Fred Meijer M-6 Trail ...... 102 Paul Henry Thornapple Trail ...... 104 Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail ...... 106 PARK TRAILS ...... 108 Fred Meijer Millennium Trail Network ...... 108 Johnson Park Scenic Trail ...... 110 Palmer Park Trails ...... 111 ALL-TERRAIN BIKE TRAILS ...... 112 Luton Park Trail Network ...... 112 Wahlfield Park Trail Network ...... 114 CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAILS ...... 115 Palmer Park/Kaufman Golf Course Ski Trails ...... 115 EQUESTRIAN TRAILS ...... 116 Cooper Creek/Spencer Forest Equestrian Trails ...... 116 HIKING TRAILS ...... 118 Pickerel Lake Park Trail System ...... 118 Provin Trails trail system ...... 120 Rogue River Park trails ...... 121 Seidman Park Trail System ...... 122 Wahlfield Park Hiking Trails ...... 123 EXTENDED HIKING TRAILS ...... 124 North Country National Scenic Trail: Kent County ...... 124 Inventory of Recreation Land Owned by Other Government Entities . . . .131 Inventory of Connector Trails Managed by Other Agencies ...... 134 Kent County Parks Dept. Recreation Programs ...... 134 Planning and Public Input Process ...... 135 Overview ...... 135 Planning Methods ...... 135 Comparison to Recreation Standards ...... 135 Criteria for Open Space/Natural Area Acquisition ...... 138 Public Involvement ...... 138 Needs Assessment - Park Users ...... 138 Needs Assessment - General Community ...... 139 Public Review ...... 139 Public Comment Preceding Plan Adoption ...... 139 Recreation Needs Assessment ...... 140 Goals and Objectives ...... 170 Land Acquisition ...... 170 Park and Facility Development ...... 172 Trail Connection Development ...... 173 Park and Trail Improvements ...... 174 Volunteer Services and Programs ...... 175 Communications ...... 176 Operations and Management ...... 176 Maintenance and Safety ...... 176 Staffing ...... 177 Funding ...... 177 Action Program ...... 179 Actions Planned for 2014 ...... 179 Actions Planned for 2015 ...... 180 Actions Planned for 2016 ...... 181 Actions Planned for 2017 ...... 182 Actions Planned for 2018 ...... 183 Appendix A: State-Funded Grant Inventory ...... 184 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund ...... 184 Land and Water Conservation Fund ...... 185 Clean Michigan Initiative Recreation Bond Fund ...... 187 1988 Recreation Bond Fund ...... 187 Appendix B: Needs Assessment Survey ...... 188 Appendix C: Notice of Availability of Draft Plan ...... 208 Appendix D: Public Meeting and Adoption ...... 210 Notice of Public Meeting ...... 210 Minutes from the Public Meeting ...... 211 Resolution of Adoption by Governing Body ...... 216 Appendix E: Letters of Transmittal ...... 217 County Planning Agency ...... 217 Regional Planning Agency ...... 218 Appendix F: Plan Certification Checklist ...... 219 Executive Summary

The 2014-2018 Kent County Parks, Trails and Natural • Safeguard some of the great natural resources of Areas Master Plan actively seeks to meet the needs the county; and of current and future generations . It advocates core • Encourage economic development by attracting objectives for park land acquisition, management visitors to the county who specifically seek out and development based on reviews of current our parks and trails . opportunities, needs, public input and expectations In light of the role of County parks, public support for for population trends and resource availability . land acquisition and stewardship continues to build in The purpose of the Plan is to provide a logical Kent County and the Plan recommends strengthening framework for decisions affecting park and trail the Department’s efforts in these areas. This strong facilities as well as open spaces and natural public support is consistent with the overall vision of areas . Public input supported a continuation Kent County’s park system . While individual parks and strengthening of the Kent County Parks may support active or sports-oriented recreation, the Department programs of land acquisition and parks general focus of the department is in preserving open development and improvement, as established by space and providing recreational access to quality the Kent County Strategic Plan in 1997 . Ongoing natural landscapes . This emphasis is complimented pursuit of these programs has led to high overall by the Parks Department’s ongoing efforts to develop public satisfaction with the Kent County Parks a variety trail opportunities . system . The Plan seeks to balance the actions The Plan is designed to serve as an effective tool to necessary to maintain and improve this level of help maintain and improve an already successful satisfaction with those needed to anticipate and park and trail system . This “level of service” address the future recreational needs of the County . approach to park and trail planning enables the Park areas and trails are viewed by County residents Kent County Parks Department to identify and meet as vital to quality of life . Our system of county changing patterns of need and use with flexibility. parks and trails: Modifications in the level of service provided to • Provide opportunities for a wide variety of County residents can be made at any time . The recreation and nature-related activities to Plan should be continually monitored and officially facilitate physical fitness and enjoyment; updated to adjust its recommendations and • Promote greater knowledge and appreciation of implementation strategy as necessary . the interrelationships between people and the natural world; Executive Summary Page 5 of 220 Community Description

Jurisdiction and Focus Kentwood, Walker, Grandville and East Grand Rapids declined by a combined 0 .8% . In contrast, This plan covers the acquisition, management and population in the outlying areas has increased by development of County owned or managed parks, 14 .6% . The map below shows 2000-2010 growth park land and trails in Kent County, Michigan . rates throughout the county, and the table on the Kent County is located in the southwest central following page provides detailed data for all munici- region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and contains palities . a majority of the Grand Rapids Metropolitan area . Of particular note, 2000-2010 growth rates exceeded The county contains 856 square miles of land and 16 20% in Solon, Algoma, Courtland, Ada, Caledonia square miles of surface water and is the 16th largest and Gaines Townships, and in the City of Rockford of Michigan’s 83 counties . Jurisdictions within and the Village of Caledonia . the county include 21 townships and 14 cities and villages .

Sand Lake North Tyrone Solon Nelson Spencer Population Casnovia Kent City Cedar Springs 0 3 6 Sparta The distribution of County residents and trends Miles in population growth can provide guidance for Algoma Courtland Oak eld Village of Population Growth Sparta 2000-2010 locating recreational facilities . However, due City of Rockford >=30% to the mobility of the population and the affects 20% - 29.9% Alpine Plain eld Cannon Grattan of its density on the availability of parkland, 10% - 19.9% distribution is only one of many factors to 0% - 9.9% City of Walker Grand <0% consider . Rapids Ada Vergennes City of Grand Rapids

City of East While the six cities making up the Grand Grand Rapids City of Lowell Rapids city core area have the highest concen- City of tration of population in the County, the most Grandville Cascade Lowell rapid population growth rates are found in City of Wyoming City of Kentwood some of the rural townships within commuting Caledonia Byron Gaines Bowne distance of the city core . Between 2000 and Village of Caledonia 2010, populations in Grand Rapids, Wyoming,

Community Description Page 6 of 220 2000 2010 and remaining undeveloped Population Population Change open spaces may present the Kent County 574,336 602,622 +4.9% ideal combination of future needs and current opportu- Grand Rapids core area municipalities 361,312 358,481 -0.8% East Grand Rapids city 10,763 10,694 -0.6% nities to preserve land for Grand Rapids city 197,804 188,040 -4.9% coming generations . Grandville city 16,263 15,378 -5.4% Kentwood city 45,259 48,707 +7.6% Several other townships Walker city 21,842 23,537 +7.8% have growth rates over the Wyoming city 69,381 72,125 +4.0% past decade of between 10 Outlying Communities 213,024 244,141 +14.6% and 20% . These areas are Ada township 9,882 13,142 +33.0% not growing as rapidly as Algoma township 7,590 9,932 +30.9% those with greater than 20% Alpine township 13,976 13,336 -4.6% growth, however, competition Bowne township 2,743 3,084 +12.4% Byron township 17,536 20,317 +15.9% for housing and infrastructure Caledonia village 1,102 1,511 +37.1% in higher growth areas may Caledonia township excluding Village of Caledonia 7,862 10,821 +37.6% start shifting more people to Cannon township 12,075 13,336 +10.4% these mid-range township . Cascade charter township 15,107 17,134 +13.4% Cedar Springs city 3,163 3,509 +10.9% In particular, communities Courtland township 5,817 7,678 +32.0% that are nearer to the city Gaines charter township 20,112 25,146 +25.0% core or adjacent to major Grand Rapids charter township 14,057 16,661 +18.5% transportation corridors may Grattan township 3,554 3,621 +1.9% well see rising demand for Lowell city 4,013 3,783 -5.7% Lowell charter township excluding City of Lowell 5,219 5,949 +14.0% recreational facilities in the Sand Lake village 492 500 +1.6% coming decades . Future Nelson township excluding Sand Lake 3,684 4,264 +15.7% development and expansion Oakfield township 5,055 5,782 +14.4% of Kent County Parks and Plainfield charter township 30,195 30,952 +2.5% Rockford city 4,632 5,719 +23.5% Trails should also focus Solon township 4,627 5,974 +29.1% on these areas, including Sparta village 4,169 4,140 -0.7% Byron, Bowne, Cascade, Sparta township excluding Village of Sparta 4,766 4,970 +4.3% Lowell, Vergennes, Grand Spencer township 3,681 3,960 +7.6% Rapids, Cannon and Nelson Casnovia village (pt.) 173 176 +1.7% Kent City village 1,062 1,057 -0.5% Townships . Tyrone township excluding Casnovia and Kent City 3,069 3,498 +14.0% Vergennes township 3,611 4,189 +16.0% Given population trends, the Kent County Parks Department faces the ongoing Gaines Township is now the second most populous challenge of providing more recreation land for township in Kent County . With strong competing a growing population that also values that same demands for open space, expanding parkland land for residential and commercial development, to meet the needs of the township’s growing and agricultural use . Yet, even in more densely population will be challenging, especially with populated areas, strategic acquisition of key limited resources to acquire land . The other parcels, especially wetlands and floodplains, and townships showing strong growth generally support enhancement of current parks remain possible . less than half the current population of Gaines Township . In these areas, rapid population growth Community Description Page 7 of 220 Natural Features

Topography

The land surface in Kent County is generally flat to gently rolling . The elevation of Kent County varies from 590 ft above sea level at Johnson Park along the Grand River to 1075 ft above sea level at Fisk Knob Park in the northern part of the county .

Water Resources

Kent County has 13,113 acres of surface water comprised of over 100 lakes and major rivers including the Grand, Coldwater, Thornapple, Rouge and Flat . This acreage total does not include the wetlands and numerous small streams that are found throughout the County . The largest lakes are Wabasis, Reeds, Murray and Lincoln, all of which have public access for boating . Most of the lakes are found in the northeast part of the County and most with The Grand River at Johnson Park suitable swimming beaches are surrounded by seasonal and year-round homes . Public access for boating and fishing is available at nineteen locations according to the Michigan Public Boat Launch Directory provided online by the DNR Physical Characteristics Parks and Recreation Division . Of these, twelve are on lakes and seven are on rivers . Consideration of the physical elements of the county or site is extremely important in determining appropriate settings for recreation areas and trails. Compatibility of the potential recreational facilities and the land must be evaluated so development does not have a negative impact . Other factors to be considered include the scenic and aesthetic qualities of the site, uniqueness of land features, the topographic variation, vegetation and water access .

Zoning

Kent County does not have a Planning Commission; planning is the responsibility of individual municipalities . Grand Valley Metropolitan Council serves to coordinate some of the planning efforts of the area. Beach at Myers Lake Park Community Description Page 8 of 220 Fish and Wildlife A wide variety of wildlife species inhabit Kent County . Numerous songbirds and other non- The fish and wildlife in Kent County provide game wildlife are found along with whitetail many recreational opportunities to individuals deer, small game animals and game birds . including hunting, fishing, bird watching, The habitat this wildlife finds attractive varies photography and nature study . considerably by species . A diversity of habitats, The abundance of many species of game coupled with a clean environment is critical fish makes the inland lakes of Kent County to the biological diversity and productivity of extremely well suited for recreational fishing. wildlife in the county . Many of the lakes and streams also have beautiful natural settings making them ideal for park sites. Several popular game fish species such as trout, bass, pike, perch, and bluegills are found in the lakes or rivers of the county . Anadromous steelhead (rainbow) trout and king and coho salmon migrate up the Grand River and its tributaries . Steelhead are found primarily in the spring, although some fish ascend rivers in the fall and over winter there . Salmon run in the fall and provide both fishing and viewing opportunities on the Grand, Rogue and other rivers and streams .

Sandhill Cranes in a “no mow” area at Wabasis Lake Park

Environmental Issues

Like most counties, Kent County has typical environmental concerns relating to non-point source pollution caused by a combination of residential growth, impermeable soils, and combined sewer overflow. Non-point source pollution from agricultural uses and urban residential runoff also can be a problem.

Fishing at Millennium Park Community Description Page 9 of 220 Although these issues are well publicized, they take time and money to alleviate . Municipalities are implementing plans and practices that will improve the way storm water and sewage are handled along with non-point source pollution .

The Kent County Parks Department acquisition efforts usually involve land that is in floodplains along riparian corridors . The conversion of the land to park uses results in buffer zones that help reduce non-point pollution .

Wetlands acquired as part of a future park at the confluence of the Coldwater and Thornapple Rivers Community Description Page 10 of 220 Administrative Structure

Kent County Parks was established in 1924 and is actions and contracts and setting major policies. one of the oldest and largest parks departments in Three standing committees advising the Board the state . The Department concentrates on acquiring of Commissioners are the Executive, Finance and and managing land rich in natural resources, and on Legislative and Human Resources Committees. providing outstanding recreational opportunities . These committees research and monitor County operations and develop recommendations and Over the years, the Kent County Parks system has strategies for the full Board to review . grown to include 42 parks, greenspaces and regional trails totaling 6,772 acres . The system’s four regional Department Staffing trails stretch a total of 41 miles and more than 40 miles of additional trails are maintained within park The Parks Department is divided into three main borders . divisions, Design and Development, Operations, and Business, with each reporting to the Parks The Department has a long history of operating Director. With just 23 full-time staff members and quality parks and trails, placing a high priority on about 140 seasonal employees, and nearly 6,800 collaborations with outside agencies and organiza- acres of parkland, Kent County Parks trends well tions . below average staffing levels per acre, based on national and state benchmarks1 . Because most parks Governing Body are open from April 1 to October 31, the Department relies heavily on temporary employees during its The Kent County Parks Department manages the primary operating season . daily operations and development of the park and trail system . The Department is overseen by the The figure on the following page shows the current County Administrator’s office which, in turn, reports staffing structure for the Kent County Parks to the elected Kent County Board of Commissioners . Department . The Board operates the parks department under Michigan Public Act 156 of 1917, Section 123 .51 et seq .

Kent County is divided into nineteen voting 1 A recent national study by the National Recreation and Park Associa- districts . Voters from each district elect one tion shows a median of 47 acres maintained per full-time equivalent employee (FTE) for county park systems. With 6,772 acres and 57 FTEs Commissioner . This nineteen-member board is the Kent County Parks Department maintains 119 acres per FTE. responsible for conducting the general business In 2010, a benchmarking consortium in Michigan reported an average of 2.29 full-time park employees per 100 acres. Kent County Parks em- of the County, including approving budgets, ploys 23 full-time employees, or 0.34 full-time employees per 100 acres.

Administrative Structure Page 11 of 220 Kent County Parks Department Board of Commissioners Organizational Chart County Administrator

Asst. County Administrator

Parks Director

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS BUSINESS

Landscape Parks Operations Business Architect Manager Manager

Administrative Office PT Admin. Aide Intern Parks Operations Administrator SPW III Supervisor

Golf Course Superintendent CLUBHOUSE GROUNDS Equipment Maintenance Volunteer Coord. Specialist Specialist Year-round PT Clubhouse Manager Seasonal Parks Worker IV Seasonal Parks Worker III (2) Seasonal Parks Notes: Worker II SPW III = “Seasonal Parks Worker III” SPW II = “Seasonal Parks Worker II” SPW II (2) and SPW I (19) SPW II (1) and SPW I (15) SPW I = “Seasonal Parks Worker I” (#) = # of employees in given category

Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Townsend Fallasburg Wabasis Long Lake Wahlfield Douglas Walker Millennium Palmer Dutton, Ruehs Hazy Cloud Lowell Regional White Pine Fisk Knob Dwight-Lydell Brewer Johnson Coldwater, Caledonia Pickerel Cooper Creek Gordon Rogue River Creekside Siedman Spencer Forest Provin Trail SPW I (8) Thornapple Myers Lake Lamoreaux Riverbend SPW I (7) Lamoreaux Memorial Assistant Assistant Assistant Assistant Assistant Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Park Manager Millennium Johnson

Campground Parks (1) (1) (1) (1) SPW II SPW I (14) SPW II (1) SPW II (1) SPW II SPW I (9) SPW II SPW I (8) SPW II SPW I (9) SPW I (12) SPW I (7) SPW I (10) SPW I (18) SPW I (12)

Annual Budget The operating budget of the Parks Department is divided into fourteen program areas, with each representing either a region of parks, or General Operations and Maintenance a center of operations (i .e ., campground, golf Each year, the County Board of Directors sets the course clubhouse or golf course grounds) . A General Fund appropriation for the Department’s fifteenth budget program represents the general operating budget through a comprehensive administration of the Parks Department . This budgeting process . The Department prepares Administration budget program also includes and justifies its request which is reviewed in numerous expenses that benefit multiple parks detail by an Operating Budget Review Committee but are not separately allocated, such as large composed of County administrators . The equipment, roving maintenance staff, park design, Operating Budget Review Committee submits sign fabrication, volunteer services among others . recommendations to the Board’s Finance and The Parks Department operated out of a special Physical Resources Committee, which then revenue fund until 2006, when its budget was submits recommendations to the overall Board of transferred to the County’s General Fund . For Commissioners for review and approval . 2014, the Department’s operating budget is Administrative Structure Page 12 of 220 $3,993,292 . Although this is a slight decline over Parkland Acquisition Fund its $4,168,125 average for the prior eight years under the General Fund, the 2014 budget shows One specific CIP fund of the Parks Department is significant recovery from the Departments recent dedicated to acquiring land for parks and trails budget low of $3 .7 million in 2010 . and to developing new amenities on existing park or trail properties . Unlike other CIP accounts, the Capital Improvement Projects Parkland Acquisition and Development fund rolls over to the next year . In addition to its general operating budget, the Parks Department also conducts various capital In 1998, the County Board of Commissioners improvement projects (CIPs) that are budgeted approved a subcommittee report that called for and funded separately . Although many Parks an annual CIP appropriation of $500,000 from CIPs are funded entirely through the County’s 1999-2008 for land acquisition, however this level General Fund the Parks Department also of funding never materialized . No new County frequently leverages County dollars by seeking funding has been appropriated to the account outside funding from foundation grants, cost since 2004 . sharing with local municipalities, private gifts and In its acquisition activities, the Parks Department state and federal grants . primarily seeks to acquire key parcels of land Due to their nature, Capital Improvement Projects to expand existing parks or trails, or to set aside often take more than one year to complete . In significant natural resources for future enjoyment. this case, budgets are typically extended from one In recent years, the majority of funding for such fiscal year to the next. acquisitions has come through State grants, local foundations, collaborating units of government Capital Improvement Projects for the Parks and contributions from private donors . Department generally fall into these broad Competition for these funds is highly competitive categories: and dollars remaining in the Parkland Acquisition • Repairing and improving paved areas Fund are extremely limited . As a result, the Parks Department currently refrains from pursuing • Replacing or upgrading existing facilities most acquisition opportunities except for those • Improving park access or function considered to be the of very highest priority . • Mitigating potential hazards Occasionally, the Parks Department has acquired • Replacing playground equipment land through other means . In 2013, for instance, • Developing regional trails, and an acquisition for Millennium Park was funded • Developing new facilities through support from the Kent County Parks Foundation and through funds remaining in a Capital Improvement Project tied to the initial development of the park . This CIP was closed at the end of 2013 . The Department anticipates that any future acquisitions system-wide would occur through its Parkland Acquisition Fund .

Special Project Funds

Due to their ongoing or long term nature, some projects are managed through separately budgeted Bridge construction for trails at Millennium Park accounts independent of the CIP funding process . Administrative Structure Page 13 of 220 Two such accounts contain funds received in Current and Projected Annual Budget exchange for easements . The balances in these accounts are dedicated to improvements at The entire current and projected budget for Kent Lamoreaux and Paris Parks . Once depleted, these County Parks is provided below. These figures accounts will be closed . are divided into the broad categories discussed above . Kent County Parks does not provide The third and most significant of the Department’s recreational programming, so the Department Special Project funds is the Kent Trails does not keep a separate budget for Recreation . Reconstruction Fund . Through an interlocal 2014 Budget agreement, Kent County and five other municipal partners are contributing $20,000 to this account Operations $3,993,624 annually from 2011–2020 . This total will increase Capital Improvements 1,144,983 Acquisitions 0 to $25,000 annually for 2021-2030 . At the end of Special Projects 0 this 20 year period, the balance in this account will be available as a match to secure grants for Totals $5,138,607 the reconstruction of Kent Trails, a 15-mile long regional trail in southwest Kent County . Funding Sources

The Kent Trails interlocal agreement is in its In 2012 (the most recent year completed at the second 20-year cycle . Through this agreement, writing of this plan), revenues from all sources for annual funding of the Kent Trails Reconstruction all Parks Department activities totaled $5 .1 million . Fund is contributed at these rates: Kent County Figure 3 below shows the distribution of these (50%), City of Wyoming (17 .6%), City of Grand funding sources . Rapids (13 .5%), Byron Township (7 .8%), City of Grandville (7 .1%), City of Walker (4 .0%) . Funding Sources for FY2012 Entire Department Budget

Sales of Merchandise/Food Private Contributions 2.4% 6.1%

State and Federal Grants 0.4%

Agricultural Leases 0.5%

Fees for Services 30.7%

County General Fund 50.8%

Miscellaneous Income 0.7%

Local Gov't Units 1.5%

Delinquent Tax Fund 7.0%

Administrative Structure Page 14 of 220 Operations and Maintenance Capital Improvement Projects

Revenues relating to operations and maintenance With Capital Improvement Projects, the accounted for $4 .0 million (78 .5%) of the distribution of funding sources in 2012 differed Department’s $5 .1 million total in revenues . significantly from general operations. Here, the Of this $4 .0 million, the County General Fund County General Fund provided 32 .1% of support, provided $2 .2 million (55 .8%) of support . compared to 28 .0% from private contributions, The remaining 44 .2% of revenues for general 4 .7% from collaborations with other local operations came from Fees for Services (38 .9%), government units, and 1 .9% in funding relating to Sales of Merchandise and Food (3 .1%) and other State grants . In addition, the County’s Delinquent smaller sources . Tax Fund (DTF) provided 33 .4% of 2012 support for Capital Improvement Projects . Support from Funding Sources for FY2012 the DTF for parks projects is unusual . In this case, Operations only Sales of the funding was tied to remediation work on a Merchandise/Food 3.1% parcel of land acquired by the Parks Department Agricultural Leases 0.6% Private Contributions from the County’s delinquent tax roles . 0.3% Funding Sources for FY2012 State and Federal Grants Capital Improvements 2%

County General Fund Fees for Services Private Contributions 55.8% 38.9% 28%

Local Gov't Units 5% County General Fund 32%

Delinquent Tax Fund 33% Miscellaneous Income 0.9% Local Gov't Units 0.4%

Revenues as a Percent of Total Operating Expenses 4,500,000 Role of Volunteers 4,000,000 The Kent County Parks Department Volunteer 3,500,000 Services program was developed and implemented 3,000,000 in 2009 to fulfill the Department’s 2009-2013 master 2,500,000 plan objective of having a centrally organized 2,000,000 volunteer program for recruitment, coordination, 1,500,000 training and recognition of volunteers . The 1,000,000 program’s mission is: 34% 34% 40% 42% 45% 44% 500,000 To engage the community by providing opportunities - for dedicated volunteers to participate in projects, 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 events and programs that will augment, rather Projected than replace, publicly funded maintenance. Park Revenues Administrative Structure Page 15 of 220 Volunteers will help support the mission and goals of the Kent County Parks Department by improving the recreational and environmental attributes of our county parks.

Volunteer recruitment occurs through collaborations and connections with environmental, educational, volunteer and community organizations . Recruitment is also supported through multiple online volunteer recruitment services . Volunteer training and project coordination are carried out by a part time Volunteer Coordinator supported by GVSU Make a Difference Day at Millennium Park seasonal interns and experienced volunteer team various organizations and institutions including leaders . Volunteer recognition includes an annual Kent County Parks Foundation, MSU Extension spring grill out; certificates and letters of recognition; Master Naturalist Program, Stewardship Network the “GR City Points” program; social media site West MI Cluster, Meijer Inc ., Grand Valley State acknowledgment of volunteer achievements University, University of Michigan, Davenport and contributions; and various recognition gifts University, Grand Rapids Community College, depending on the number of a volunteer’s service Scout groups, United Way, YMCA, Hope Network,, hours . North Country Trail Association, Blandford Nature Center, Ada Township, Goodwillie Environmental Examples of Volunteer Services programs and Academy, West MI Mountain Biking Alliance, annual events include: Grand Rapids Audubon Club, Michigan Butterflies, John Ball Zoo and many other educational, environ- • “Partner with Parks Program” to promote collaborations with educators mental, church, corporate, and community organiza- tions . • “Park and Trail Steward Program” to support individual volunteer stewardship at a specific Kent County Park or Trail Many members, staff and students of these organi- zations contribute annually, and a number of • “Discover! Event” to encourage volunteerism corporations, including GE Aviation, The North and environmental practices and to promote Kent County Parks Face, Wolverine World Wide, Farmers Insurance, Steelcase, Citizens Insurance, Priority Health and • “Annual Spring and Fall Clean Events” to recruit and coordinate volunteers for annual other groups schedule specific community service clean ups, maintenance and special projects days each year for employees to participate in • “Garlic Mustard Challenge Event” to volunteer projects . Numerous individual volunteers organize volunteers for invasive species register for group projects or work independently removal as “Park and Trail Stewards” on a regular basis • National Trails Day trail building to support throughout the year . volunteer trail building projects • Volunteer Services Internship Program In 2012, volunteer members, staff and students of 63 organizations contributed 3,044 service hours and • Frog Watch, Monarch Monitoring, and 143 individual volunteers contributed 2,887 service other habitat support projects to encourage volunteers to participate in environmental hours at 25 different Kent County Park sites. A stewardship objectives total of 7,633 volunteer hours were contributed to Kent County Parks in 2012 (including court ordered Most Volunteer Services programs, events and community service) . Projects included invasive contributions are the result of collaborations with Administrative Structure Page 16 of 220 species control; gardening, tree planting and native City of Grandville: Grandville is a Kent Trails seed planting; raking and mulching; painting; park, partner, providing 7 .1% of the annual costs to lake and trail clean up; habitat support projects; trail maintain the trail and to build a reconstruction and deck building; and other special projects. fund, through a 20-year interlocal agreement .

City of Grand Rapids: Kent County Parks Collaborations routinely collaborates with the City of Grand Rapids on regional trail planning . Kent County Through a variety of partnerships with many Parks manages Provin Trails Park, which is owned organizations and agencies, the Kent County Parks by the City . Grand Rapids also is a Kent Trails Department broadens its ability to deliver high partner, providing 13 .5% of the annual costs to quality park and trail opportunities . In Kent County such collaborations have been a hallmark of park and trail development and operations for decades .

Relationships with Public Agencies

The Kent County Parks Department often partners with municipalities throughout the County . Most often these arrangements involve the exchange of funding, technical assistance or management/ maintenance of trails . A sample of current and recent collaborations with local governments is

provided below . Award ceremony on Kent Trails recognizing Grand Rapids as a Bicycle Friendly Community Caledonia Township: Caledonia Township has provided funding provided for developing Lepard maintain the trail and to build a reconstruction Preserve and paving portions of the Paul Henry fund, through a 20-year interlocal agreement . Thornapple Trail . City of Kentwood: Kentwood manages and Cannon Township: Kent County Parks maintains maintains Paris Park, which is owned by Kent the Cannon Township Trial at cost . Cannon County . Township is providing funding to develop a new City of Walker: The City of Walker provided safer access point and trailhead at Luton Park . technical assistance, support and funding in City of Wyoming: Wyoming is a Kent Trails developing the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail, a link partner, providing 17 .6% of the annual costs to trail between the Musketawa Trail and the White maintain the trail and to build a reconstruction Pine Trail . Walker also is a Kent Trails partner, fund, through a 20-year interlocal agreement . providing 4% of the annual costs to maintain the trail and to build a reconstruction fund, through a Ada Township: Kent County Parks granted an 20-year interlocal agreement . easement and assisted with layout to build part of the Ada Township Trail in Seidman Park . Nelson Township: Nelson Township contributed community development funds to establish a trail Byron Township: Byron Township is a Kent Trails connection between Gordon Park and the White partner, providing 7 .8% of the annual costs to Pine Trail . maintain the trail and to build a reconstruction fund, through a 20-year interlocal agreement . Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Kent County Parks is working to reconfigure Administrative Structure Page 17 of 220 vehicle entrance and trail crossing at Rogue River Department works with neighboring counties Park staging area to improve safety . KC Parks to coordinate planning near county borders . A also manages DNR parcels adjacent to Rogue significant amount of this interaction takes place River Park for public recreation access . The in forums that involve other groups (i .e . Michigan DNR, KC Parks and other agencies partnered DNR, National Park Service, West Michigan to develop the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail, to Trails and Greenways Coalition and other local or connect the Musketawa Trail to the White Pine regional trail entities) . Trail, and KC Parks will maintain this new State trail at cost . Moreover, the DNR has generously Relationships with School Districts supported numerous Kent County park and trail The Kent County Parks Department has working projects through grants from the Land and Water relationships with several school districts and Conservancy Fund (LWCF), the Michigan Natural encourages districts to utilize county parks and Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) and the Clean trails for educational and recreational activities . Michigan Initiative (CMI) . Often, school and college groups also become Kent County Road Commission: The KCRC involved in Kent County Parks through our serves as the trail design and development agent Volunteer Services Program . High school cross for Kent County Parks for most MDOT funded country and golf teams are frequent users of Kent trailways that are outside park borders . County Parks .

Michigan Department of Transportation: High School Cross Country Teams: Many Kent Trailways within MDOT corridors are planned County teams run at Johnson Park for meets and and designed in collaboration with MDOT, tournaments . Teams also train at Millennium Park including the Fred Meijer M-6 Trail and the Fred and other parks in the system . Meijer Pioneer Trail . In addition, MDOT has High School Golf Teams: Many golf teams play been an exceptional partner by providing crucial matches at Kaufman Golf Course . The course also funding for several Kent County trail projects is the home course for the Grandville High School through Federal Transportation Enhancement boys team, which holds tryouts at Kaufman each grants .

National Park Service: Kent County Parks assists with and supports the development of the North Country National Scenic Trail through Kent County . KC Parks has helped with route planning and corridor negotiations with the Michigan Department of Transportation . Fallasburg Park hosts a segment of the trail and Long Lake Park serves as a staging area. The final route for the trail through Kent County will also involve Girls high school cross country team practice on Kent Trials Seidman, Townsend and Luton Parks . spring, and uses the practice area, driving range, Michigan State University Extension Service: and course for training . MSU Master Naturalist program provides volunteers and instructors for habitat projects in Relationships with Private various parks and Master Gardeners maintain Organizations plantings at Millennium Park . The Kent County Parks Department has long- Neighboring Counties: The Kent County Parks Administrative Structure Page 18 of 220 standing working relationships with many interest • 5/3 Riverbank Run groups and planning organizations . Some recent • Color Run, and current examples are listed below . • King of Wake Pro Wakeboard Tour,

Kent County Parks Foundation: This Foundation • Warrior Dash, provides fund raising and promotional support to • Striders race events, and Kent County Parks . The KCPF also raises public • Kent County Amateur Golf Tournament awareness of the parks through its participation in Bailey’s Doggie Dash at Wabasis Lake Park, volunteer events in the parks, and other forms of community outreach and events .

Byron Center American Youth Soccer Organization: Douglas Walker Park is host to multiple AYSO soccer games and practices throughout the season .

Metro Soccer Club: Manages scheduling and tournaments, maintains irrigation system, and applies turf treatments at Brewer Park soccer fields. Kent County Parks mows fields and WMMBA bridge construction at Luton Park performs other related maintenance . West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance: Caledonia Baseball Softball League: This member This 501(c)(3) developed roughly nine miles of of Little League Baseball regularly uses ball fields mountain biking trails at Luton Park and currently at Caledonia Lakeside Park for practice and maintains the trails with volunteer labor and games. Teams also groom the fields. private contributions. A similar effort is being spearheaded by the WMMBA at Wahlfield Park.

Audubon Society: Audubon hosts birding events at various county parks and provide bird houses to the park system .

West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition: The Kent County Parks Department coordinates with and provides technical assistance to WMTG with mapping, planning, and fundraising . WMTG has also recently provided grant funds Millennium Park Triathlon for development work at Millennium Park, the Competitive athletic events: By providing Fred Meijer M-6 Trail, and the Fred Meijer Pioneer parks, trails and other facilities as event sites, Trail . and by assisting with planning, Kent County Local Trail Committees: In addition to assisting Parks supports several regional competitive WMTG, Kent County Parks provides similar athletic events that are organized by outside support to local groups working on specific organizations . Some larger events include: connector trail projects, such as the Lowell to Ionia • Millennium Park Triathlon Trail Committee, the Lowell to Greenville Trail • Grand Rapids Marathon Committee, and others. Administrative Structure Page 19 of 220 Michigan Association of County Parks and Lowell Area Community Fund: The LACF is Recreation Officials: Kent County Parks a strong supporter of park and trail projects in participates in organization leadership and board Lowell and Vergennes Townships . Most recently, activities . the foundation awarded a matching grant covering half the cost of acquiring a key parcel of Relationships with Local Foundations undeveloped land for Fallasburg Park .

In addition to the Kent County Parks Foundation Grand Rapids Community Foundation: The described above under “Private Organizations,” GRCF recently awarded a grant for construction of other local foundations have been steadfast in a bridge across Division Ave . for the Fred Meijer their ongoing support of Kent County Parks and M-6 Trail . Trails . These include:

The Meijer Foundation: The Meijer Foundation has been a generous supporter of Kent County Parks and Trails for decades . The Foundation most recently granted funds for the Fred Meijer Millennium Trail Network, The Fred Meijer M-6 Trail, and the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail .

Frey Foundation: The Frey Foundation has been supportive of several park and trail projects .

Bridge installation on the Fred Meijer M-6 Trail over Division Ave, with funding assistance from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation

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