Township of Flynn

TOWNSHIP OF FLYNN SANILAC COUNTY, MI

COMMUNITY RECREATION PLAN

April 4, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………….. 1

Community Description ………………………………………………………………... 1

Administrative Structure ……………………………………………………………….. 3

Recreation and Resource Inventories …………………………………………………... 3

Description of the Public Input Process ………………………………………………... 4

Goals and Objectives …………………………………………………………………… 5

Action Program ………………………………………………………………………… 6

Encourage Development ……………………………………………………………….. 6

Public Meetings ..……………………………………………………………………….. 7

Attachments ...... 8 INTRODUCTION

The following is Flynn Township’s Community Recreation Plan. This plan provides the Township with an opportunity to identify recreational needs and determine its long range recreational goals.

This plan was developed by using the following methods which are described in greater detail under public input process:  Public Meetings (Past and Present)  Individual Discussions  County Parks & Recreation  Grant Writers  Educational Facilities  Surrounding Communities

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

This plan is prepared for Flynn Township. The plan focuses on preserving and/or expanding existing parks & recreational facilities. Included in the plans is consideration for the development of future recreational opportunities.

Flynn Township is located in the South West corner of Sanilac County. It borders the Townships of Marlette, Elmer, Elk, Speaker and Maple Valley in Sanilac County and Burnside Township in Lapeer County with St. Clair County 6 miles to the south and Tuscola County 5 miles to the west. (See location map below)

The majority of the Township land is zoned agricultural/residential. There is a large settlement of Amish within the Township and surrounding Townships. The Township owns one cemetery located in the Township and one cemetery located in Marlette Township. There are two churches located within the Township. It has two parcels of State land (200 & 60 acres) which are open to hunting. There are 4 major roads, totaling 24 miles, in the Township that are hard surfaced. This makes all areas of the Township easily accessible.

-1- COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION – CON’T.

There are 4 school districts located in the township, Brown City, Marlette, Peck and Sandusky. The cities of Brown City, Marlette, North Branch, Peck, Sandusky and Yale are within 12 miles of Flynn Township.

In 1975 the township bought 10 acres of which approximately 5 acres is woods. The remaining area was developed for a park with a pavilion.

In 1978 a tennis court was added with a basket ball hoop on one end.

In August 1988 Flynn Township received a grant, # 88-100G, from Michigan Department of Commerce for park equipment, (swings, tetherball, volleyball, power coated picnic tables, grills, campfire ring, slides, spring animals, spin around and glider benches.

In the summer of 1994 Flynn Township received a Community Development Block Grant, Project-MSC-921202 for the purpose of building a Senior Center. The seniors from Flynn Township and surrounding townships meet regularly (2nd & 4th Fridays each month) with games and pot luck. The center is also used for parties and reunions. In 2010 we started regular blood drives for Michigan Blood. These continue today.

In August 2001, the township installed a “Kids Choice Play Structure” with various kid’s equipment. This was installed to meet the increased use of the park.

On January 13, 2009 Flynn Township received a MNRTF Grant to purchase 520 acres of land that is in the Township and located approximately 1 mile from the Township’s existing park. This land is now called the “Flynn Nature Center’. This land has approximately 60% water and the remaining 40% is a combination of woods, low lands and some untouched areas This area has deer, ducks, geese and several species of plants, birds and animals. The surroundings make an excellent wildlife habitat.

Since the purchase of that land, in 2009, the Township, through volunteers, have upgraded and created roads, trails, paths and made a nice beach area for recreation purposes. Many people use this land such as walking, riding horses, hunting, ORV’s and fishing. We had two open houses where we had horse driven wagons to take visitors on a tour of the property. Hot dogs and lemonade were served.

Sanilac County has no inland lakes. However, it is bordered on the east by Lake Huron which is 19 miles east of Flynn Township.

The Township is serviced by: Sanilac County Sheriff Department Michigan State Police Marlette Regional Hospital and ambulance service Brown City Fire Authority

-2- ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

 The Buildings/Grounds & Park are a budgeted line item in the Township’s annual budget and administered by the Township Board, there is no staff. This covers the pavilion, playground equipment, tennis court, volleyball area, nature center and open space within the parks.

 The current year budget is $6,000.00. For F/Y 2017/2018 the budget is $6,000.00. As the Township’s parks and facilities increase in use the budget will increase accordingly.  Township Board has the authority and operates the park, recreational facilities and nature center. Funding for the Parks & Nature Center comes from the Township Operating Millage.  Volunteers work at the park grounds and nature center. There are no formal guidelines or partnerships formed with these people or organizations. By using the volunteers, our budget can remain manageable.  The Township has good relationships with the schools and County Parks Board. We work in conjunction with them rather than compete with them.  We have discussed future plans with the DNR/other authorities in regards to grants for our parks, nature center and recreational facilities.  There is no programming associated with our Park or Nature Center.

RECREATION AND RESOURCE INVENTORIES

The Township Board made a site tour to take inventory of existing equipment and facilities. Below is a list of the Recreational Inventory. Included is the status of all grant assisted parks and facilities.

In 1975 Flynn Township purchased ten acres of which approximately five acres is woods. After the purchase of this site the Township developed a Park, Pavilion, Playground Equipment and a Senior Center. The Park, Pavilion and Senior Center are all barrier free.

Senior Center

The center is 40’ x 80’ and equipped with light kitchen facilities and restrooms. The building is heated and air conditioned for year-round use. Senior Citizens meet at the center on the second & fourth Fridays of each month. They have pot luck, play games at their meetings. Many groups and families rent this building for meetings, reunions, graduation parties and baby/marriage showers. This building along with the playground equipment is barrier free and makes for a fun and enjoyable time in the park.

This building was built using a Community Development Block Grant, #MSC 921202, 85% grant monies and 15% Township monies.

-3- RECREATION AND RESOURCE INVENTORIES – CON’T

Pavilion

The pavilion is 24’ x 60’ with a cement floor. This is not a heated building. This building is used a lot in the summer months for picnics utilizing our many picnic tables inside. There are big sliding doors on both sides and one end of the building which gives full view of the outside and at the same time get a cool breeze through the building. This building is barrier free.

Tennis Court

The tennis court is 42’ x 96’ cement with fenced in sides and ends. It also has basketball hoop at one end.

Playground Equipment

With a Michigan Department of Commerce grant, # 88-100G, the following equipment was purchased and installed in the park.

1 six place swing, 12’ high, 1 two place exerglide swing, 8’ high, 1 tether ball (complete outfit), 1 volleyball (complete outfit), 2 glider benches. 2 8’ – 2x10 alum. Powder coated picnic tables, 2 kish valley grills, 4 direct bury benches 6’, 1 slide 8’ high, 1 slide 4’ high, 4 animals each on a spring, 6’ spin around and a campfire ring.

Because of the increase use of the park and it facilities, 13 years after the above equipment was installed, the Township purchased a “Play Structure” equipped with slides, tunnels, climbing, ladders, etc. This structure is installed inside a wooden boundary with crushed stone on the inside.

Nature Center

The Nature Center has 520 acres of which approximately 60% water and the remaining 40% is a combination of woods, low lands and some untouched areas. This land is used for walking, horseback riding, ORV’s, trapping, hunting & fishing. The Nature Center is easily assessable (barrier free) for all individuals. There are no stairs or no climbing within the Center. The Nature Center is open all year around. Open to the public from dawn to dusk. Vehicles are to stay on existing trails. No Mudbogging, climbing of dirt piles or causing destruction of property.

Fishing & Trapping Allowed.

Hunting & any type of shooting is allowed only in the months of October through March. This was done for the safety of hikers.

All state regulations as to licenses, dates, species, size and number will be followed.

Due to fire risk (muck fires) no smoking or open fires allowed.

-4- DESCRIPTION OF THE PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS

From our previous RECREATION PLAN, we held 8 meetings that were posted & open to the public. We are referencing these meetings for the new recreation plan.

Present public meetings, informal & posted, were held. A Special Meeting Notice was posted on February 17, 2017 for the meeting on February 21, 2017. This notice was posted on our Township website, as well as four conspicuous places within the Township. Our Public Hearing on Community Recreation Plan will be on April 4, 2017 and was posted on our Township website, as well as four conspicuous places within the Township.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS, CON’T.

It was stated at these meetings that a recreational plan was necessary to apply for grants to improve the existing nature center, parks and recreational facilities. See minutes for this recreation plan. (3-24-09, 2-15-11, 3-24-11, 2-21-17, 4-4-17)

Based on these, and prior, public meetings and discussion in regular board meetings and reviewed the input and the following items were initiated:  Fishing open for everyone. Obey all State regulations/laws.  Hunting and trapping during the months of October, November & December, open for everyone. These months were allowed so as not to interfere with the hikers.  Cleared existing trails and made new trails.  At this time the Township will run the nature center.  Repaired and/or bought new gates.  Attended a meeting with the DNR/Pheasants Forever to re-establish pheasants. The Nature Center will be a good place for this. Meeting 3-5-2011.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Township of Flynn began the renewal process of developing the Five-Year Community Recreation Plan with the following goals:

 Encourage cooperation between the township, school districts, cities and surrounding townships for recreational and educational use. Have barrier free facilities available for family and surrounding areas. Public Input.

 Continue to improve existing Nature Center, Park and facilities in the Township for public recreational use. Public Input.

 Encourage the development of recreational opportunities within the Township to promote camping, picnicking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, snow skiing, hiking, biking (pedal), ball field, bird watching, nature trails and educational purposes. Some of these ideas came from Public Input.

-5-  Periodically hold open meetings with the public for the purpose of receiving ideas and/or recommendations for public recreational use of property. Public Input.

 All activities will plan to comply to ADA guidelines whenever possible.

 Our goal in the immediate future and purpose for this recreational plan is to acquire grant funds for the purchase of equipment to groom and maintain the nature trails; control Phragmites, post signs identifying birds, trees and other environmental interests. We have an empty building on the Nature Center property. If feasible, we would like to prepare that building for exhibits of what can be seen at the center. This would make it more attractive for the schools to come for educational purposes.

 Re-introduce pheasants in the nature center working with the DNR & Pheasants Forever.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, CON’T.

 Visit 7 ponds Nature Center in Metamora, Michigan to get ideas.  Check with the auto bund society, any interest to help identify birds.  Educational Events: I.D. trees, birds, plants.  Start a procedure where individuals can plant a tree in memory or in honor of someone.  Contact Nature conservancy in Washington D.C. for ideas.  Provide an area for eagle nesting.  Wood Duck houses around the waters.

ACTION PROGRAM

Encourage cooperation between the Township, Schools and Cities

Provide information by letters, personal contact to show the Township’s plan to develop and implement community recreation facilities. Encourage support of the Township’s recreational projects for community use, including residents, neighboring communities and the school districts.

Continue to improve existing nature center & park facilities for public recreational use.

The existing park has approximate 5 acres of woods one side of the creek and the playground equipment, pavilion and Senior Center on the other side of creek. Total acres are ten. The woods have the potential for creating nature trails and the playground equipment has the room and potential to expand.

The Nature Center has 520 acres of which approximately 60% water and the remaining 40% is a combination of woods, low lands and some untouched areas. This land is used for walking, horseback riding, ORV’s, hunting & fishing.

-6- This property could become an excellent outing for school trips. Close proximity to the 4 school districts in the township and some that are not in the township. This property could provide a variety of activities for educational outings.

ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT

As our Township continues to grow, the need for recreational opportunities increase. Our plan is to develop recreational facilities when feasible. We will hold open meetings with the public periodically to gather ideas and recommendations for future development. This could be a great tool for development within the Township.

Contact schools & 4-H groups who have expressed some interest in identifying trees, birds and building bird houses.

-7- PUBLIC MEETINGS

Informal and posted public meetings were held to discuss the development of a recreational plan and how it will be used for future planning. During these discussions, the Township expressed interest in future plans of expanding the trails at the Nature Center, and posted boards identifying birds and trees. Other possibilities of posting boards stating you have walked x number of yards and have burned x number of calories.

One of our first informal meeting back in 2005 we discussed about the importance of how an agricultural community and open space preservation enhance one another. Bob Gierman, who owns property within a half mile of the Township park, and now next to the Township’s nature center, stated he thought the Township should proceed with the new plan so we could apply for future grants if presented. Bob and his brothers have acquired several acres for land preservation.

On other meetings, there were discussions on the use of the nature center, parks and facilities. The attendees wanted the schools and surrounding communities to be considered in the recreation plan. These ideas were considered in our goals and objectives.

Public meeting minutes, 3-24-2009

-8- ATTACHMENTS

1. Public Meeting 3-24-2009 – Minutes after the Nature Center was purchased. 2. Minutes of regular board meeting on 2-8-2011 – Rec. Plan. 3. Notice of special meeting on 2-15-2011 – Rec. Plan. 4. Notice in paper of special meeting on 2-15-2011 – Rec. Plan. 5. Agenda – 2-15-2011 – Public Meeting – Rec. Plan. 6. Attendance – 2-15-2011 – Public Meeting – Rec. Plan. 7. Minutes of Rec. Plan meeting on 2-15-2011. 8. Notice of public hearing on 2-23-2011 – Public Hearing – 3-24-2011. 9. Public Notice in paper on 2-23-2011 – Public Hearing on 3-24-2011. To view plan contact Bob Conely, clerk, Flynn Township, Phone # 810-346-2931. 10. Map of Flynn Township giving location of Township’s Nature Center & Park. 11. Blown up map of the Nature Center. 12. Agenda – Public Meeting – 3-24-2011. 13. Minutes of Public Meeting – 3-24-2011. 14. Minutes of Special Board Meeting – 3-24-2011. 15. Attendance – 3-24-2011 Public Meeting. 16. Resolution 17. Letter to County Planning Agency. 18. Letter to Regional Planning Agency. 19. Check Off Sheet. 20. Agenda – Public Meeting – 2-21-2017 21. Minutes of Public Meeting – 2-21-2017 22. Agenda – Public Hearing – 4-4-017 23. Minutes of Public Hearing – 4-4-2017