what are your ideas for commerce township parks, programs and trails? Public Workshop Thursday, September 13, 2018 7:00 - 9:00 PM Richardson Senior Center 1485 Oakley Park Online Survey - OPEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18th A short survey to gather your opinon of parks, programs and trails can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q2D2HYY. A link to the survey is also posted to the Township website www.commercetwp.com. Stop by the Richardson Center if you need a hard copy. Commerce Township is working on updating our 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan and are looking for your input in order to better understand community priorities. The input gathered at the workshop and via the survey will be shared with the Parks Commission and Township Board and used to help inform the goals, objectives and action plan for the next 5 years. Questions? Contact Emily England [email protected] or 248.926.0063 Parks, Recreation + Trails Master Plan (2019-2023) Public Workshop September 13, 2018 • Raise awareness that the Township is working on updating the 5-year Master Plan. GOALS FOR TONIGHT • Gather input as to what you think the Township and staff should focus on over the next 5 years. • Introductions • Review Agenda • Brief Overview of Master Plan Process AGENDA • Small Groups o Walking/Biking/Trails/Sidepaths ▪ Confirm accuracy of map ▪ Brainstorm priority gaps and desires related to walking and biking o Parks/Programs/Events/Maintenance ▪ Brainstorm priorities and issues • Report Back to Large Group • Use 3 stickers on your Top Walking/Biking Priorities + 3 stickers on your Top Park/Program Items OVERVIEW The Township is beginning the process of updating their 5-Year Master Plan and are looking to solicit input related to your priorities for trails, parks and programming for the next five years. The Township is updating their Plan for a number of reasons: • to gather input and identify needs and priorities • to remain eligible for grant funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources • to improve facilities and programs • to serve as a guide in day-to-day operations as well as during the annual budgeting process The Master Plan, and the process we take to develop the Master Plan, does not solve all the issues and concerns but it does help to identify and document them so they can be addressed and focused on in the upcoming months and years. PROJECT MILESTONES Background Studies/Inventory May - July Public Outreach August - September th Workshop September 13 th Online Survey Open until September 18 Draft Goals and Action Plan October - November Public Hearing December/January Township Board Adopt December/January ONLINE SURVEY If you haven’t already, a reminder to please jump online and take our trails, parks and programs survey. We will be using the results as another piece of input to help inform the 5-Year Plan. It takes between 6-7 minutes to complete! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q2D2HYY QUESTIONS? Contact Emily England | Director of Senior Services/Parks and Recreation [email protected] | 248.926.0063 Commerce Township | Parks, Recreation + Trails Master Plan Public Workshop September 13, 2018 Approximately 15 people attended the workshop at the Richardson Community Center. Emily England opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming to provide input on parks and recreation priorities within the Township. Emily then introduced Leah Groya, livingLAB, to facilitate the workshop. Leah Groya provided the attendees with a brief overview of the master planning process and the work that’s been completed to date. Leah also reviewed the agenda, the objectives for the meeting, and how the meeting was going to be facilitated. Leah indicated that the Township is working to complete a 5- year plan in order to be eligible for future funding assistance and in order to prioritize desired improvements within the community. Attendees were sitting at round tables and were asked to take 30- 40 minutes to brainstorm various ideas, issues, concerns and desires as they relate to trails and connectivity. Then, attendees were asked to brainstorm ideas, issues, concerns and desires as they relate to parks and recreation in the community. Each of the small groups then presented the results of their brainstorming session with the large group as a whole and each idea was noted on flip charts. One set of comments for trails/connectivity and one set for parks/recreation. Once all comments were gathered and noted, the flip chart sheets were lined up around the room. Each participant was given 3 sticker dots to place on the trails/connectivity comments and 3 different colored sticker dots to place on the parks/recreation ideas to help to begin to prioritize the many ideas and thoughts that had been generated during the session. Every idea will be documented in the Master Plan, but it is helpful to get an understanding of what attendees viewed as the “hot issues”. There was also a map of the Township on the wall with existing trails noted. Attendees were asked to place 3 stickers on the map to designate the top three places they do (or would like to) be able to walk or bike to. The end result of the workshop was a prioritized list of ideas concerning trails, parks and recreation in Commerce Township (total stickers placed in parenthesis). Those that received at least one “sticker vote” are listed at the top. Below that, the ideas are listed in no particular order of priority. TRAILS + CONNECTIVITY • Lakes Community Trail to downtown area near M-5 (4) • Connect Bicentennial Park + Hickory Glen via new neighborhood (4) • S Commerce Road to Union Lake via Commerce Road (4) • Crossing between Byers + Mill Race Park (4) • Trails into Milford + Long Farm area along E Commerce Road (3) • Difficult to cross into Dodge Park (3) • Path from Library to Wise Road (3) • Airline Trial to Lakes Community Trail connections (2) • Need pedestrian lights at crossings (2) • Crosswalks needed/improved at: (2) o Glengary + S Commerce Road o Oakley Park + S Commerce Road • Bridge trail gap north to south (1) • Connections to Airline Trail (1) • Mill Race to Victory Park (1) • Visibility of crossing of Benstein on trail near cemetery is poor • More sidewalks • Finish walkway from S Commerce to Pontiac Trail • Walking trails (mulch) need to be replaced at Dodge Park • Foot traffic only on trails to separate from mountain bike trails Parks/Events/Etc Note that some trail related comments were discussed during general park discussion. • Dog Park (5) • Bicentennial needs love – refurbish tennis (4) • Improve publicizing of parks, events, meetings, goings-on. General increase awareness. Better communication and more notification (4) • Love concerts at parks but would like more variety of music (3) • Like trails in Wise Woods – don’t take down trees (2) • Park maps, kiosk, wayfinding in parks and along trails (2) • More mountain bike trails – better maintenance of trails (2) • Restrooms at parks or changing sheds to change clothes (2) • Pickleball at Richardson Center or Bicentennial (2) • Benches along trails (2) • More playgrounds (1) • More big events – art fairs, circus, etc. (1) • Please keep trees and trails (1) • Trail markings (1) • Park/trail maps @ Library (1) • Trail maintenance (1) • Plow Dodge Park parking lot (1) • Doing a nice job overall • Thankful for bridges along Commerce Road • Horseshoe pits • Hay rides/tractor rides • Mill Race Park needs more to it • If you build it, they will come • Community garden • Like trails in Dodge Park and Library • Love events at Byers • Byers needs farmhouse rehab. • Ropes course • Drinking fountain outside of Library • Ice skating • Where is Township Supervisor tonight? TOP 3 LOCATIONS I’D LIKE TO WALK OR BIKE TO…… Commerce Township Park and Recreation Community Opinion Survey SurveyMonkey Q1 There are several recreational programs and activities offered in Commerce Township, including recreational activities in general, educational, sports, social and enrichment activities. Overall, how much do you think MOST members of our community participate in the recreational programs or activities offered Answered: 340 Skipped: 1 A lot Some Only a Little Not at all Undecided/ Dont Know 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES A lot 21.47% 73 Some 42.06% 143 Only a Little 27.06% 92 Not at all 2.94% 10 Undecided/ Dont Know 6.47% 22 TOTAL 340 Q2 Thinking about the number of recreational programs, activities and facilities provided in Commerce Township, do you believe that overall...... Answered: 339 Skipped: 2 1 / 92 Commerce Township Park and Recreation Community Opinion Survey SurveyMonkey Many more programs,... Somewhat more programs,... Enough programs,... Too many programs,... Undecided/Don't know 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Many more programs, activities are needed 20.65% 70 Somewhat more programs, activities and facilities are needed 42.18% 143 Enough programs, activities and facilities are available now 20.65% 70 Too many programs, activities and facilities are available now 1.77% 6 Undecided/Don't know 14.75% 50 TOTAL 339 Q3 What other programs, activities or facilities do you think should be provided that are not currently offered? [write in up to 3 responses] Answered: 252 Skipped: 89 # RESPONSES DATE 1 I feel there are enough 10/31/2018 11:22 AM 2 Physical Fitness Center Family Picnic areas 10/31/2018 9:56 AM 3 I’d love to see trails that connect the community to the Library. Also additional safe crossings to 10/20/2018 11:15 PM access Dodge 5 and the Library. 4 Public meetings to discuss chopping down woodland areas for more soccer fields when current 10/17/2018 1:51 PM soccer fields aren't even being utilized!!!!! 5 More mountain biking.