Delta Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2018-2022
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Delta Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2018-2022 Prepared by: VIRIDIS Design Group 313 N Burdick St Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (269) 978-5143 Ackknowledgements The Delta Charter Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2018-2022, was a cooperative effort by Delta Charter Township, the Delta Township Parks and Recreation Department, the Park, Recreation and Cemeteries Commission, Delta Township Board, and the Citizens of Delta Township Township Board Kenneth R. Fletcher, Supervisor Mary R. Clark, Clerk Howard A. Pizzo, Treasurer Andrea M. Cascarilla, Trustee Dennis R. Fedewa, Trustee Karen J. Mojica, Trustee Deana M. Newman, Trustee Administration Brian T. Reed, Township Manager Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Department Marcus Kirkpatrick, Director Kathy Sobczyk, Placemaking & Special Events Coordinator Lee Miller, Recreation Administrator Alex Zegarzewski, Recreation Specialist Ann Kostin-McGill, Department Assistant Pat Schieding, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Commission Daren Bebee, Chairperson Aaron Keel Paul Kelsey Mary Kwas Lonnie Lee Laura O’Connor Carmen Turner Planning Department Gary Bozek, Director Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Judi Brown-Clarke, Chairperson Table of Contents Chapter List of Figures 1 . Introduction………………….……………1 Fig. 2.1 – Location Map………………… ….....9 2. Community Description……………………5 Fig. 3.1 –Township Organizational Structure…12 3. Administrative Structure………………..…11 Fig. 3.2 – Parks Organizational Structure..……13 4. Inventory of Existing Parks, Natural Areas Fig. 3.3 – Development Grant Summary….… .18 & Recreation Facilities………………….…19 Fig. 4.1 – 2017 Park Recreation Facilities……..27 5. Description of the Planning and Public Input Fig. 4.2 – 2017 School Recreation Facilities…..28 Process…………………………………...39 Fig. 5.1 – Park Classification…………..… …...42 6. Goals and Objectives…………………...…53 Fig. 5.2 – Population Service Standards by Park 7. Action Plan…….…………………………55 Type……………………………….43 Fig. 5.3 – Population Service Standards by Appendices Recreation Activity……………..…..44 1 - Township Budget Information…………. .63 Fig. 5.4 – Demographics of Survey 2 - Park Site Maps…………………………..71 Participants…………………….….45 3 - Program Summaries…………………….87 Fig. 5.5 – Patterns of Park Use……………..…46 4 - Community Survey Results…………….. 92 Fig. 5.6 – Satisfaction Levels…………….. …..47 5 – Documents from Public Hearings and Fig. 5.7 – Focus Group 1 Input Summary……..48 Public Meetings……………………… .133 Fig. 5.8 – Focus Group 2 Input Summary..……48 6 – Correspondence with Municipal Fig. 7.1 – Capital Improvement Schedule… …61 Agencies……………………………….156 7 – Post Completion Self-Inspection List of Tables Reports………………………………..159 Table 2.1 – Population Growth………… ..……7 8 – Plan Certification Checklist……………..193 Table 2.2 – Population Comparison………..…..7 Table 2.3 – Population by Age ………….…..…7 List of Maps Map 4.1 - Existing Recreational Area and Facilities……………………………………..26 Map 4.2 - Other Recreational Areas and Facilities……………………………………..37 Map 5.1 - Park Service Areas.. ………………41 DELTA TOWNSHIP PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN 2018-2022 Introduction Parks, Recreation, and Open Space are to grow and change over time, the important elements of all communities and Township continues to dedicate provide many recreational, social, and themselves to improving recreational environmental benefits that contribute to a offerings for the community. This plan high quality of life. Delta Township has represents the culmination of the planning recognized the importance of proper efforts of the community and local officials; recreation planning and has chosen to take and reflects the Township’s desire to blend an active role in the delivery of recreational the available recreational resources and opportunities by developing the activities with the natural beauty of the Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. surroundings and the environmental and Recreation planning is an exercise engaged cultural elements of the community. by local governments to anticipate change, and to promote the development and PLAN PURPOSE expansion of recreational facilities and The 2018-2022 Parks and Recreation services for the benefit of its community. Master Plan is a guide for the future Parks and recreation facilities provide many development of recreation facilities in the benefits to the community and the natural Township. It provides short and mid-range environment. Parks provide people with a recommendations for park facilities, place to gather, be active, socialize, and programs, and services; maintenance connect with the environment and operations; administration and community. Developing a green management; and capital improvements. infrastructure also enhances the livability The Township recognizes the significant of a community by increasing property role that recreation plays in providing a values and connecting the community. high quality of life and improved physical Having the ability to recreate has also been health of its citizens. This appreciation shown to improve the quality of life by has been manifested in this effort to contributing to overall mental and physical update the Parks and Recreation Master health and reducing obesity brought on by Plan with the hopes of improving local inactivity. As the community continues park systems and public trails, promoting INTRODUCTION Page 1 DELTA TOWNSHIP PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN 2018-2022 the preservation of natural areas, and The plan also considers recreational establishing a strong commitment to facilities within the county and strengthening a sense of community. This neighboring townships that are available plan provides the data and direction to to citizens of the Delta Township ensure that parks and recreation offerings community. Key planning issues are are aligned with the community needs identified, a clear set of goals and and values. The plan addresses current objectives are outlined, and specific recreation issues and identifies and implementation strategies are identified. prioritizes future needs of the community The scope will include all of the Township’s and the means for meeting those needs recreation facilities, undeveloped open over the upcoming five-year period. space, trail systems, and recreational programming. The area of the planning This plan meets the Michigan Department effort is essentially limited to the Township of Natural Resources requirements for boundaries. However, consideration is also qualifying for Federal and State funding made of regional facilities that influence assistance. These funds are available for use patterns. The use of Township facilities land acquisition, facility development and by residents living in the surrounding improvements to new and existing park communities, which may have limited lands. recreation facilities of their own, is also a consideration of the planning process. In PLAN SCOPE terms of an implementation time-line, the The scope of this plan includes Action Program section of this document suggestions for the management, covers development over the next five improvement, and expansion of the years. recreation system within Delta Township. Page 2 INTRODUCTION DELTA TOWNSHIP PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN 2018-2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Several projects were accomplished from the previous Parks and Recreation Master Plan, 2012-2017 including the following: Grand Woods Park • New park entry sign • Planted 100 new trees • Pedestrian access from Willow Hwy Sharp Park • New park entry sign • Installed outdoor exercise equipment • Installed outdoor reading trail • Completed new landscaping areas • Softball fields laser graded Delta Mills Park • Design & architecture planning completed to renovate two bathrooms in 2018 • Converted old tennis courts into Pickleball courts • Awarded grant funding to construct a non-motorized pathway from Delta Mills Park to Hunter’s Orchard Park • Awarded grant funding to install an ADA accessible canoe launch on the Grand River and renovate the existing park amenities: basketball court & playground • Installed new park entry sign Mt. Hope Park • Engineering and landscape design completed to start park development in 2018, includes: 2 youth baseball fields, soccer fields, bathrooms/concessions building, playground, pavilion shelter, park infrastructure, walking pathways Hawk Meadow Park • Installed vault restrooms near the park entrance West Willow Highway Canoe • Widened the road to add bike lanes Launch • Awarded grant funding to install an ADA accessible canoe launch on the Grand River Cemeteries • Construct scatter garden • Construct new cremation area Other parks Erickson Park- Laser graded softball fields • Installed lights for softball fields INTRODUCTION Page 3 DELTA TOWNSHIP PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN 2018-2022 Page 4 INTRODUCTION DELTA TOWNSHIP PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN 2018-2022 Community Description REGIONAL SETTING the north on the west side of the Delta Township is located in central lower Township. Wetland areas are found in Michigan in the northeastern corner of the Township, often adjacent to the Grand Eaton County. The Township’s north and River and its tributaries. Lake Delta is a eastern borders are shared with the 40 acre man-made lake located in Lake counties of Clinton and Ingham Delta Park. respectively. Delta Township is bordered by Watertown Township and the city of The waterways and small and large land DeWitt to the North, Oneida Township and holdings provide valuable habitat that the city of Grand Ledge to the West, benefit fish and other wildlife. The Windsor