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Huron-Clinton Metroparks Recreation Plan 2018-2022

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HURON-CLINTON METROPARKS RECREATION PLAN 2018-2022

SUBMITTED BY: HURON-CLINTON METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY 13000 HIGH RIDGE DRIVE BRIGHTON | | 48114 810-227-2757

PREPARED FOR: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES GRANTS MANAGEMENT PO BOX 30425 LANSING | MICHIGAN | 48909

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 | Executive Summary 5 6 | Planning Process 104 2 | Introduction 9 Master Plans 105 The Metroparks System 10 Recreation Plan 111 Mission, Vision, Core Values 12 Public Input 113 3 | Community Description 13 7 | Goals and Objectives 119 Regional Service Area 14 Regional Demographics 121 Counties 15 Regional Plans 124 4 | Administrative Structure 17 Fiscal Outlook 125 Board of Commissioners 18 Regulatory Obligations 127 Organizational Charts 19 Goals and Objectives 130 Funding 22 8 | Action Program 133 2017 Budget 23 Five-year Project List 134 Volunteers 24 9 | Appendices 151 Other Recreation Departments 25 Appendix A: Accessibility Evaluation 152 Partnerships 26 Appendix B: Survey Instrument 168 Enabling Act 27 Appendix C: Future Projects 173 5 | Recreation Inventory 30 Appendix D Grant s 175 Introduction 31 Appendix E Public Notice 178 Biodiversity 32 Appendix F Public Comments 179 Accessibility 33 Appendix G Resolution of Adoption 180 Infrastructure Analysis 34 Lake St. Clair Metropark 35 40 Dexter-Huron/ 45 48 53 58 63 68 Metropark 71 76 81 Huron Meadows Metropark 86 Regional Recreation Analysis 92

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1 | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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1 | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2018-2022 Huron-Clinton Metroparks Recreation Plan was Planning Process approved by the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority Although not directly involved in the recreation planning (HCMA) Board of Commissioners by resolution on DATE TBD, process, public participation from the individual park master 2017. The purpose of the recreation planning process is to plans is summarized here to provide context. This section then develop recreation and resource conservation goals and describes the planning timeline and the various factors that objectives, and to establish recreation grant eligibility through informed the plan. the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The following The 2018-2022 Huron-Clinton Metroparks Recreation Plan is a summary of the plan contents. utilized several strategies to solicit public input. A stakeholder Community Description meeting was held in each HCMA district (Western, Eastern, The Metroparks serve the residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Southern) to gather input from important partners. A Livingston, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties in Southeast representative survey of the five-county region was conducted Michigan. Since the creation of the Authority through Public by a contractor to determine recreational needs and interests. Act 147, the system has developed into 13 Metroparks The results of this survey are summarized below. Finally, a containing approximately 25,000 acres of land for public use. public hearing was held at the June 2017 board meeting. Detailed information is presented on each of the five counties 2017 HCMA Community Needs Assessment Survey within the HCMA service area, including economic trends that are relevant to the planning process.  Usage of Huron-Clinton Metropark facilities is high  There is support for funding renovations throughout the Administrative Structure system This section includes details on the HCMA Board of  The 5 highest priorities for system-wide facilities include: Commissioners and staff, including organizational charts. The  Beaches 2017 HCMA budget follows, identifying anticipated revenues  Trails-paved, multi-use and expenditures. Major redevelopment projects are  Trails-unpaved, hiking highlighted, and the Capital Improvements, Major  Nature centers Maintenance, and Capital Equipment budget categories are  Picnic areas described.  The 5 highest priorities for system-wide recreation Volunteers contributed more than 3,000 hours to natural programs include: resources projects alone in the past year, and several partner  Farmers market organizations help HCMA provide the region with high-quality  Concerts and innovative recreation.  Movies in the park Recreation Inventory  Pet-friendly programs This section of the plan features an inventory of the  Bird/wildlife watching programs recreation assets available at each of the 13 Metroparks. The Goals and Objectives inventory includes information on the general location, This section begins with an overview of demographic and function, and history of the park, statistics, a park map, a economic trends in the region at large and each HCMA district, biodiversity map outlining the location of critical natural as well as access to recreational resources. The regional plans resources, a list of grants received and map of corresponding referenced in developing goals and objectives are listed, encumbered land, and the findings of staff’s Americans with followed by an analysis of the HCMA fiscal outlook for the next Disabilities Act (ADA) evaluation for facilities at each park. five years. Regulatory issues taken into account for planning The inventory then identifies all Metro, state, and county purposes are also described. parks in the five HCMA counties and enumerates the The following goals were identified for the 2018-2022 Huron- recreational facilities available in each. Clinton Metroparks Recreation Plan:

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1 | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INNOVATION | Modernize the Metroparks and develop new revenue streams.

2. MAINTENANCE & INFRASTRUCTURE | Repair, maintain, and improve core park infrastructure.

3. EDUCATION & AWARENESS | Develop and enhance programming, communication, and outreach efforts.

4. STEWARDSHIP | Protect and restore natural biodiversity while balancing resource management with recreational activities.

5. SUSTAINABILITY | Prioritize employee development, environmental health improvements, and financial stability. Action Plan This last section turns the goals and objectives listed previously into specific action items for the next five-years, both system-wide and park-specific. Each item includes a summary and cost estimate and references the goal and objective it supports.

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