Unadilla Township Five Year Recreation Plan

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Adopted February xx, 2017 DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 2 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Unadilla Township Board...... Linda Walker, Supervisor Linda Topping, Clerk Julie Weiland, Treasurer Sue Cox, Trustee Lori Cowan, Trustee

Unadilla Township Planning Commission ...... Michael DeMint, Chair Bryan Spadafore, Vice Chair Susan Cox, Secretary Linda Topping, Clerk Diane Constable

Recreation Plan Steering Committee ...... Lori Cowan Diane Constable DRAFT 11-17-2016

Assisted by:

Carlisle | Wortman ASSOCIATES, INC.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan Page i DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page ii Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...... 1 Purpose of the Plan ...... 1 Planning Process ...... 1

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION ...... 3 Population ...... 4 Housing ...... 7 Land Use ...... 9 Natural Features ...... 11 Related Planning Initiatives ...... 15

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE ...... 22 Administration ...... 22 Funding & Budget ...... 22 Volunteers & Partnerships ...... 23

RECREATION INVENTORY ...... 24 DRAFTLocal Recreation Facilities ...... 24 Preserves and Natural Areas ...... 28 Regional Recreation Facilities ...... 30 11-17-2016Comparison to Recreation Standards ...... 36 Accessibility Assessment & Grant-Assisted Projects ...... 37 MDNR Grant Fund Status ...... 37

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT ...... 39 National Recreation Trends ...... 39 Public Input Meeting & Resident Survey ...... 41 Public Review & Public Hearing ...... 42

GOALS & OBJECTIVES ...... 43 Goals ...... 43

ACTION PROGRAM ...... 45 Action Plan ...... 45 Project Schedule ...... 48 Implementation Strategies ...... 50

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan Page iii FIGURES 1. Livingston County ...... 3 2. SEMCOG Region ...... 3 3. Population Trends, Unadilla Township ...... 5 4. Population Trends, Livingston County & SE Michigan ...... 5 5. Median Age Comparison ...... 6 6. Unadilla Township Age Distribution Comparison ...... 6 7. Existing Land Use Patterns ...... 10 8. Natural Features ...... 13 9. Historical Vegetation circa 1800 ...... 14 10. High Quality Natural Areas ...... 17 11. Iron Belle Trail Preliminary Route Map ...... 19 12. Great Lake-to-Lake Route Map ...... 20 13. B-2-B and “The Loop” Trail System Detail ...... 21 14. Unadilla Township Park Facilities ...... 27 15. Regional Park Facilities ...... 30 TABLES DRAFT 1. Historical Population Data ...... 4 2. Population Projections ...... 4 3. Housing Stock ...... 711-17-2016 4. Residential Building Permits ...... 7 5. Land Use Percentages ...... 9 6. Unadilla Township Major Lakes ...... 12 7. Unadilla Park Facilities ...... 28 8. Regional Park Amenities ...... 30 9. Suggested Parkland & Acreage ...... 36 10. Accessibility Assessment ...... 37 11. MDNR Grants ...... 37 12. National Sports Participation 2013 ...... 39 13. Project Tasks ...... 48

Page iv Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan APPENDICES A. Notices of Draft Plan Availability & Public Hearing ...... 55 B. Recreation Steering Committee Resolution ...... 95 C. Minutes of Public Hearing ...... 101 D. Township Board Resolution ...... 107 E. Letters of Transmittal ...... 111 F. Public Input Summary ...... 117 G. Park Plans ...... 147

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan Page v DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page vi Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan INTRODUCTION The Unadilla Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan articulates a vision for parks and recreation in the community. The purpose of this Plan is to guide recreation planning and development eff orts of Unadilla Township over the next fi ve years. Once adopted, the Plan is the offi cial document to be used by the community to guide decisions regarding parks and recreation. Unadilla’s fi rst recreation plan was adopted in 2004 and most recently updated in 2009. The Township has since acquired a community park in Unadilla and has helped developed the Lakelands Trail which runs from Whitmore Lake to Stockbridge. The updated Plan is intended to meet state standards for community recreation planning that are necessary to gain eligibility for grant programs.

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN The Unadilla Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan follows the format suggested by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in the Guidelines for the Development of Community Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Plans (2015). It begins with a Description of the Planning Process which was used to develop the Plan. The Plan then presents a Community Description, providing information on both the social and physical characteristics of the community. The community Administrative Structure is described in the next section, including information on funding and budget. A detailed Recreation Inventory, which follows, describes the existing parks and recreational facilities of the community as well as those ofDRAFT the region. The Public Participation section of the Plan presents the input received from local offi cials, staff and the residents of Unadilla Township, which helped in formulating the Plan’s Goals and Objectives. The Action Program then provides an action plan and strategies for implementation. Finally, Supporting Documents include the resolutions and notices documenting the 11-17-2016plan’s adoption by the Unadilla Township Board.

PLANNING PROCESS The process used to generate the Master Plan consists of three phases: background studies, evaluation, and plan development.

The fi rst phase, background studies, involves gathering and updating information from existing documents and plans such as the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data and preparing site inventory and assessments of existing facilities. The information is organized into three main categories: community description, administrative structure of the Parks and Recreation Department, and recreation inventory.

The second phase in the planning process involves evaluation and analysis of the gathered data and includes community input to determine recreation facilities and program needs. Community input was sought through a planning fair held early in the process.

The third and fi nal phase in the process entails plan development and adoption. Goals, objectives, and an action program were formulated based on the input gathered. The following diagram illustrates the process and the corresponding requirements of the MDNR.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Introduction Page 1 MDNR SUGGESTED FORMAT • Description of the Planning Process Community Description • Community Description BACKGROUND Administration Structure • Administrative Structure STUDIES Recreation Inventory • Recreation Inventory

• Needs Assessment and EVALUATION Recreation Needs Public Participation

PLAN • Goals & Objectives DEVELOPMENT Master Plan • Action Program • Supporting Documents

The Unadilla Township Recreation Master Plan was developed with input from local offi cials, community stakeholders, and residents. All meetings were open to the public and input was sought during all phases of the planning process. An open house held on October 19, 2016 and data compiled from an online survey provided input regarding the needs and opinions of community residents. The Plan was made available for public review on October XX, 2016 and recommended for adoption following a 30-day community review period at the Steering Committee’s meeting of January XX, 2017. The Plan was adopted by the Unadilla Township BoardDRAFT on February XX, 2017, following a public hearing. A draft of the Plan document was available for public review and comment at the Township Hall and online from November XX, 2016 through January XX, 2017. 11-17-2016 Community Description, Community Structure, Administrative Inventory and Recreation Participation Public Goals and Objectives Action Plan Hearing Public Plan Adoption Township Board √√√ Township Planning Commission √√ Recreation Plan Steering Committee √ √√√√ Residents √√

Page 2 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Introduction COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

Argentine Holly Antrim Burns Fenton FENTON The Township of Unadilla is located in southwestern Livingston County. It GENESEE SHIAWASSEE borders Washtenaw County to the south, Jackson County to the southwest and

Rose Tyrone Deerfield Ingham County to the west. Unadilla Township is approximately 13 miles south Cohoctah e Conway 23 OAKLAND of I-96, 19 miles west of US-23 and nine miles north of I-94. As a result, it is not highly accessible from a regional perspective. Locally, two major roads bisect

Highlan Hartland 96 Howell Oceola the community: M-36 and M-106. M-36 runs east-west from US-23 to US 127 y Handy 59 59 and connects Pinckney to Gregory. From Gregory, it runs northwest through HOWELL

Plainfi eld. M-106 runs east-west from Gregory to Stockbridge in Ingham INGHAM

Brighton Milfor Genoa County. The Township contains the agricultural community of Plainfi eld, the Oak Iosco Marion

BRIGHTON 96 business center of Gregory and the hamlet of Unadilla, which is nestled in a

Lyo river valley. Unadilla Township enjoys a reputation as a highly desirable place 36 23 2 Green Oak UNADILLA Hamburg SOUTH to live because of its open spaces and natural areas. bridge Putnam LYON 36 36 106 Livingston County is located in the northwest area of the Southeast Michigan WASHTENAW Sal Webster Northfield erloo Lyndon Dexter Council of Governments (SEMCOG) region. SEMCOG is the regional planning KSON 52 Figure 1: Livingston County agency that conducts planning studies and maintains a comprehensive database of information about each community it serves. It is a source for some of the population and land use related data included in this report. In planning for the future recreation needs of Unadilla Township, it is essential to understand both the community of people to be served and the recreation resources which the community off ers. The fi rst part of this document provides an overview of the population, physical, and recreation resources of the Township with the goal of understanding the unique features and opportunitiesDRAFT the community off ers. CLIMATE Unadilla Township receives an average annual rainfall of 32.3 inches, and 33.8 inches of snow. The area sees an average of 172 sunny days each year, and 116 11-17-2016days with measurable precipitation. The average high temperature in July is 84 Figure 2: SEMCOG Region degrees Fahrenheit, and average low in January is 17 degrees. According to the Michigan Environmental Council, climate change may have a signifi cant impact on the state. Temperatures will grow signifi cantly warmer. Overall, precipitation is forecasted to increase, but the majority of the increase will occur in the spring months, with prolonged drought periods possible in summer months. Rain events will be “fl ashy”, with heavy downpours, and storm events will grow more severe. The Great Lakes, which act to moderate temperature extremes across the state, could face a signifi cant decrease in volume.

TRANSPORTATION As mentioned earlier, Unadilla’s road network is somewhat disconnected from surrounding communities with no direct routes to the larger urban centers of Jackson, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and metro Detroit. The Township’s most heavily travelled road, M-36, has annual average daily traffi c (AADT) counts 2,400 and 2,500 vehicles. Overall, Unadilla’s roads have an average AADT of 582. The Township is located approximately 40 miles from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and 35 miles from Lansing’s Capital Region International Airport. Both airports off er direct fl ights to a number of national and international cities.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 3 POPULATION Table 2 presents the population, household, and housing characteristics of Unadilla Township according to the U.S. Census Bureau and SEMCOG Forecast information. Historically, the Township’s population remained relatively stable between 1870 and 1960 with a small increase of 173 people, from 1,041 to 1,214. Since 1960, however, there has been a more dramatic growth period for Unadilla and the County as a whole. Unadilla’s population has continued to show strong growth, nearly tripling in size since 1960 from 1,216 to 3,366 people in 2010. The Township, like much of southeast Michigan, has experienced a slowdown in growth since 2010. Even so, SEMCOG estimates that the population will reach 4,635 people by 2040, a remarkable 37.6% increase. In percentage terms, only Putnam Township is expected to approach this level of growth during that same time period. From a straight number perspective, both Marion and Putnam Townships are expected to gain more residents, although Marion Townships percentage growth rate will have slowed dramatically (from 47.9% to 13.5%).

Table 1: Historical Population Data: Unadilla Township & Environs % change # change 1990 2000 2010 2016 2000 - 2010 2000 - 2010 Unadilla Twp 2,949 3,190 3,366 3,369 5.5% 176 Dexter (Twp) 4,407 5,248 6,042 6,875 15.1% 794 Iosco Twp 1,567 3,039 3,801 3,631 25.1% 762 Lyndon Twp 2,228 2,728 2,720 2,862 -0.3% (8) Marion Twp 4,918 6,757 9,996 10,876 47.9% 3,239 Putnam Twp 4,580 5,359 5,821 5,897 8.6% 462 Stockbridge Twp* 2,971 2,175 2,678 2,697 23.1% 503 Waterloo Twp* 2,830 3,069 2,856 2,839 -6.9% (213) White Oak Twp* 1,074 1,177 DRAFT 1,173 1,130 -0.3% (4) Livingston County 115,645 156,951 180,967 188,806 15.3% 24,016 Region 4,590,468 4,833,368 4,704,809 4,656,330 0.4% 18,448 Source: 2010 U. S. Census Bureau / SEMCOG11-17-2016 2016 estimates Table 2: Population Projections: Unadilla Township & Environs SEMCOG SEMCOG % change # change 2010 estimate estimate 2010 - 2040 2010 - 2040 2016 2040 Unadilla Twp 3,366 3,369 4,635 37.6% 1,266 Dexter (Twp) 6,042 6,875 6,855 -0.3% (20) Iosco Twp 3,801 3,631 3,455 -4.8% (176) Lyndon Twp 2,720 2,862 3,120 9.0% 258 Marion Twp 9,996 10,876 12,339 13.5% 1,463 Putnam Twp 5,821 5,897 7,516 27.5% 1,619 Stockbridge Twp* 2,678 2,697 n/a n/a n/a Waterloo Twp* 2,856 2,839 n/a n/a n/a White Oak Twp* 1,173 1,130 n/a n/a n/a

Livingston County 1,820,650 180,967 188,806 13.5% 25,517 Region 4,704,809 4,704,809 4,656,330 0.4% 18,448 Source: American Community Survey/ SEMCOG 2016 estimates * Note: Stockbridge, Waterloo, and White Oak Townships fall outside of the SEMCOG region. 2016 counts are based on American Community Survey estimates. 2040 projections are not available.

Page 4 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Figure 3: Population Trends, Unadilla Township

Unadilla Township PopulaƟon Growth, 1940 - 2040 5,000 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 - 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 Source: U. S. Census Bureau / SEMCOG 2016 forecasts

Figure 4: Population Trends, Livingston County & SE Michigan

Percentage Growth Comparison 1990 - 2040 40.0%

35.0% 30.0% DRAFT 25.0%

20.0%

15.0% 11-17-2016

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

-5.0% 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 Unadilla Twp Livingston County Region

Source: U. S. Census Bureau / SEMCOG 2016 forecasts

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 5 While the Township’s population is increasing, its median age is also increasing. Unadilla’s median age rose from 37.8 in 2000 to 42.0 in 2010. Michigan and the country as a whole are also showing a trend towards a higher median age (Michigan’s median age increased from 35.5 to 38.1, while the US increased from 35.3 to 37.2). While Unadilla’s median age increase is larger than state and federal levels, it is below that of neighboring communities and Livingston County. The townships of Lyndon (8.5) and Putnam (6.2) have shown signifi cantly higher jumps, while Marion (3.9) and Stockbridge (2.7) showed much more moderate increases.

Figure 5: Median Age Comparison

Unadilla Township - Median age change 2000 - 2010

6

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0 Unadilla Twp Immediate Livingston Region Michigan US Neighbors County Source: U. S. Census Bureau / SEMCOG 2016 forecasts

The Township’s age breakdown begins to explain the jump in median age. Figure 4 shows a clear shift in demographics while the population numbers haveDRAFT stayed constant, suggesting that the community’s population has remained essentially the same. This could indicate that Unadilla’s residents are well established, less willing to move, and more likely to “age in place”. If this trend continues, it will be important to consider alternatives which meet the 11-17-2016recreation needs of an older population. Figures 6: Unadilla Township Age Distribution Comparison, 2010 - 2040 Age Breakdown Comparison - Unadilla Township 2000 to 2010 Census Data

40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 0-19 20-44 45-64 65+

2000 2010

Source: U. S. Census Bureau / SEMCOG 2015 forecasts

Page 6 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description HOUSING According to the 2010 Census, there are 1,499 housing units in Unadilla Township, an increase of 16% increase from 2000. Unadilla’s housing units consist almost exclusively of single-family detached units (89.1%) with the majority of the remaining housing being mobile homes (10.2%). 10 units are described as townhomes or attached condominiums. In comparison to surrounding communities, Unadilla lags behind Dexter, Marion, and Putnam Townships and the Village of Stockbridge in overall housing stock. Table 3: Housing Stock, Unadilla & Surrounding Communities Year 2000 2010 Change % change Unadilla Twp 1,292 1,499 207 16.0% Dexter (Twp) 2,168 2,531 363 16.7% Iosco 964 1,352 388 40.2% Lyndon Twp 1,055 1,205 150 14.2% Marion 2,423 3,454 1031 42.6% Putnam 2,130 2,508 378 17.7% Stockbridge 1,281 1,549 268 20.9% Waterloo 1,383 1,360 -23 -1.7% White Oak 430 473 43 10.0% Livingston County 58,919 72,551 13,632 23.1%

Source: 2010 U. S. Census Bureau / SEMCOG Table 4: Residential Building Permits DRAFT Single Two Attach Multi Total Total Net Year Family Family Condo Family Units Demos Total 2000 19 011-17-2016 0 0 19 217 2001 22 0 0 0 22 121 2002 29 0 0 0 29 029 2003 41 0 0 0 41 239 2004 32 0 0 0 32 032 2005 20 0 0 0 20 119 2006 11 0 0 0 11 011 2007 10 0 0 0 10 19 2008 3 000303 2009 1 000110 2010 1 000101 2011 3 000303 2012 2 000202 2013 0 00001-1 2014 4 000413 2015 5 000505 2016 5000505 TOTAL 208 0 0 0 208 10 198 Source: 2010 U. S. Census Bureau / SEMCOG

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 7 87% of Unadilla’s housing units are occupied, with 78% owner-occupied and 9% renter-occupied. Vacant units increased from 10.5% in 2000 to 13.3% in 2010. Residential property values remained basically stagnant between 2000 to 2010, refl ecting the challenges experienced across the nation during the recent recession. The median housing value in 2010 is $190,300 a 0.9% increase from 2000. Gross rent showed relatively strong growth, however, increasing by 9.8% during the same period, with the median gross rent at $1,036 in 2010. Building permits for the Township have remained essentially fl at since 2008..

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Gregory, Michigan - Image source: Google Street View

Page 8 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description LAND USE Unadilla Township is primarily a rural and agricultural community consisting of signifi cant amounts of farmland, open space and low density residential development. This development pattern is principally due to the following factors: • Numerous lakes, wetlands and natural features; • A limited road network, including many miles of unpaved roads; and • Vast public land holdings including the Gregory State Game Area, Unadilla Wildlife Area and Pinckney Recreation Area.

Methodology used by SEMCOG to assign land use categories were changed after the release of the 2009 Recreation Plan. As a result, a direct comparison between land uses shown in this and the previous Plan is not possible. While the exact level of change is uncertain, general trends can be inferred on similar categories. Unadilla has seen dramatic increases in single-family residential uses since 2000, with total land area increasing from 2,232 acres in 2000 to 10,121 acres by 2008. These gains have come at the expense of agriculture and open space, although it is unclear at exactly what level. The categories of “Cultural, Outdoor Recreation, and Cemetery”, “Grassland and Shrub”, and “Woodland and Wetland” are somewhat nebulous, and could correspond to either “Park, Recreation, and Open Space” or to “Agricultural”. By combining these categories and comparing them to current agricultural and open space categories, we see a drop from 19,475 acres (87.8% of total land use) to 11,362 acres (50.9% of total land use), a loss of 8,113 acres. DRAFT 11-17-2016

Table 5: Land Use Percentages

Land Use Category Acres Percent Agricultural 7,945.1 35.6% Single-family Residential 10,121.7 45.4% Multiple-family Residential 00% Commercial 19.1 0.1% Industrial 4.6 0% Governmental/Institutional 158.9 0.7% Park, recreation, & open space 3,416.6 15.3% Airport 0 0.0% Transportation, communication, & utility 101.5 0.5% Water 549.1 2.5% TOTAL 22,316.5 100.0%

Source: SEMCOG, 2008 Land Use Analysis

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 9 Figure 7: Existing Land Use Patterns

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EXISTING LAND USE Agricultural - Farming Recreation Unadilla Township, Livingston County Single-Family Residential Cemetary Office Lakes and Ponds Commercial Rivers and Streams Industrial

Public Utilities 042,000,000 Feet

Transportation/ROW Source: Livingston County GIS Carlisle/Wortman Associates Vacant/Open Space October 5, 2016

Page 10 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description NATURAL FEATURES Unadilla is known for its abundance of woodlands, lakes and wetlands. The natural features of the area have played a major role in infl uencing growth and development to the area. Like much of Michigan’s southern lower peninsula, the area’s landscape is characterized by gently rolling topography formed through glacial action. As the glaciers retreated, the outwash of sand, soil and debris created an irregular pattern of hills and depressions that collected water, creating the region’s lakes and wetlands. Geology and Topography Unadilla Township sits on bedrock composed primarily of shale that was created during the Paleozoic Era. The elevation of the Township ranges from a low of 890 to a high of 1,015 feet above sea level. The topography throughout most of the Township varies between 900 and 960 feet with the elevation falling from the north to the south part of the Township. The highest spot is located in the southwest corner of Section 17 at an elevation of 1,015 feet above sea level.The lowest spots in the Township are at an elevation of 890 and located along both sides of D-19 in Sections 35 and 36, just east of Unadilla and extending to the west side of Woodburn and Watson Lakes. Soils According to the Soil Conservation Service, soils in Unadilla Township consist of fi ve soil associations: Carlisle-Houghton-Gilford, Fox-Boyer-Octavo, Miami- Hillsdale, Fox-Boyer-Octavo-Houghton and Spinks-Oakville-Boyer-Octavo. The fi rst two soil associations cover most of the Township. Carlisle-Houghton- Gilford soils are the predominant soil association and are characterized as very poorly drained, organic soils on outwash DRAFTplains, in glacial drainage ways and on lake plains. This soil association is present in all four corners of the Township and in the middle of the Township including Gregory. The Fox-Boyer-Oshtemo association is found throughout the middle of the Township surrounding Gregory and Unadilla. This soil association11-17-2016 is characterized as well-drained soils found on moraines. The last three soil associations are present in small areas of the Township. Miami Hillsdale soils are well-drained soils found on moraines and till plains along the western boundary and in the northwest quadrant of the Township. The Fox-Boyer-Oshtemo-Houghton soils are only present in a small area north of M-36 in Section 13. This soil association is described as well-drained soils and very poorly drained organic soils on outwash plains. Most of the soils are underlain by gravelly sand and are a potential source for sand and gravel. A small area of the Spinks-Oakville-Boyer-Oshtemo association is found along the eastern boundary of the Township in Sections 24 and 25 and consists of well-drained soils on moraines.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 11 Water Resources Unadilla Township includes two watersheds. The northern portion of the Township is part of the Red Cedar Watershed, which drains to Lake Michigan. The remaining portion which includes most of the Township is part of the Huron Watershed which drains to Lake Erie. The Township includes ten major lakes of 10 acres or more which are located in the south portion of the Township. The three largest lakes include: Patterson Lake, which is split between Unadilla and Putnam townships, Williamsville Lake and Woodburn Lake. Sheets Lake is the fourth largest and only lake located in the northern portion of the Township. The fi ve additional lakes range in size from 11 to 33 acres. They are located near the southern boundary of the Township and include: Mud, Watson, McConachie, Sharp and McIntyre lakes. Unadilla Township does not contain any major rivers. However, there are two important creeks. Livermore Creek is located in the east half of the Township and travels in a north-south direction between Sheets Lake and Woodburn Lake. Portage Creek is located in the south portion of the Township and travels in a west-east direction between Williamsville and Woodburn Lakes. In addition, the Unadilla-Stockbridge Drain travels in a north-south direction and is located in the west half of the Township. The drain extends from Section 7 near the northwest corner of the Township to connect with Williamsville Lake in Section 29. Wetland areas are interspersed throughout the Township. The largest wetland systems are adjacent to lakes. A wetland system associated with Mud, Woodburn, Patterson and Watson lakes in the southeast corner of the Township forms the largest contiguous area of wetlandsDRAFT in the Township. Table 6: Unadilla Township Major Lakes

Max Depth Public Lake Name Section Acreage 11-17-2016in Feet Access Patterson 36 170 60 Yes Williamsville 28, 29, 32, 33 75.5 27 Yes Woodburn 25, 36 67 26 No Sheets 2, 3, 10, 11 61 20 Yes Mud 25 33 Unknown No Watson 36 30 Unknown No McConachie 31 22 Unknown No Sharp 29, 30,31, 32 20 Unknown No McIntyre 31, 32 10.5 23 No

Source: Michigan Lake Inventory Bulletin No. 47, Humphrys & Green

Page 12 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Figure 8: Natural Features

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NATURAL FEATURES Unadilla Township, Livingston County

Soil areas which include wetland soils Aquatic Bed Wetlands unclassified Emergent 042,000,000 Feet

Lakes and Ponds Forested Source: Livingston County GIS Carlisle/Wortman Associates Rivers and Streams Scrub-Shrub October 5, 2016

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 13 Woodlands Existing woodlands are located primarily within the state parkland, along the waterways and wetlands. Moderately to well drained woodlands consist mostly of a mixture of hardwoods including oak, hickory, sugar maple, ash, cherry, beech, basswood and elm, while poorly drained woodlands consists mainly of elm, red maple, aspen, white cedar and tamarack. Approximately 1,163 acres of woodlands are preserved in public ownership by MDNR which comprises Gregory State Game Area in the northeast portion of the Township. Other large woodland areas include approximately 150 acres in the northwest quadrant preserved by the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, 437 acres of woodland owned by the MDNR which includes Unadilla Wildlife Area in the southwest portion of the Township, 302 acres of woodland owned by the MDNR which contains Pinckney State Recreation Area in the southeast corner and 118 acres of woodlands owned by the University of Michigan in the southeast portion of the Township.

Figure 9: Unadilla Township Historical VegetationDRAFT Circa 1800 11-17-2016

Source: Adapted from “Vegetation circa 1800 of Livingston County, Michigan”, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 1997

Page 14 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description RELATED PLANNING INITIATIVES While change is inevitable and growth in both population and housing will occur, Unadilla Township is committed to managing that growth to preserve its rural character and natural resources while enhancing recreational activities and overall quality of life for all its residents. The 2004 Livingston County Comprehensive Plan, the 2003 High-Quality Natural Areas study and the 2012 County Parks and Open Space Plan are recent local (Livingston County) initiatives that have relevance to the current plan. On a regional level, Michigan’s trail initiatives, particularly those related to the Iron Belle Trail network and the Lake-to-Lake Trail system, as well as SEMCOG’s 2014 Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel Plan for Southeast Michigan and Washtenaw County’s Parks initiatives, have had signifi cant bearing on Unadilla’s recreation planning. Unadilla’s most recent Master Land Use Plan was adopted in 2009. 2004 Livingston County Comprehensive Plan In 2004, Livingston County updated its County Comprehensive Plan which considered parks and recreation. Information was gathered regarding existing parks and recreation facilities, statutory authority, community input and funding comparison with other counties. The information served to formulate a set of goals and objectives which include: • Coordinating open space preservation; • Promoting the expansion of open space, park and recreation opportunities; and • Encouraging the incorporation of green areas into the County’s DRAFTland use pattern. 11-17-2016The County is in the process of preparing a new master plan in 2016.

Image Source: Huron River Watershed Council

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 15 2003 Livingston County’s High-Quality Natural Areas The study focused on identifying and evaluating potential natural areas of the County on which to target preservation eff orts. Natural Areas are defi ned as areas of potential ecological signifi cance which have been ranked based on the overall score of several criteria including: size, presence of riparian lands, wetlands and connectivity to assess each natural area’s ecological value. The analysis revealed a large number of sizeable, high-quality natural areas.

This resource inventory can be used to identify potential parks and open spaces that may be desirable for protection and public access through acquisition or other means. As Figure 4 illustrates, Unadilla includes 15 Priority 1 areas located in the northeast, southeast and southwest corners of the Township. The northeast corner contains about 1,780 acres of Priority 1 natural area which contains the Gregory State Game Area. The southeast corner of the Township contains about 1,460 acres of Priority 1 natural area which surrounds a cluster of lakes and contains the Pinckney Recreation Area and a University of Michigan reserve. The southwest corner of the Township surrounds Williamsville, Sharp, McConachie and McIntyre lakes and includes about 1,240 acres of Priority 1 natural area which contains the Unadilla Wildlife Area.

Priority 2 areas are more abundant and are scattered throughout the township. These areas have cumulative scores of 11 to 16. They are usually between 50 and 200 acres in size and are often located near other natural areas. Priority 3 areas have cumulative scores of 10 points or less and are typically less than 40DRAFT acres in size. These areas are also scattered throughout the Township. 11-17-2016

Page 16 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Figure 10: High Quality Natural Areas

DRAFT 11-17-2016

High Quality Natural Areas Unadilla Township, Livingston County

0 2,0004,000 Feet

Source: Livingston County GIS Carlisle/Wortman Associates October 5, 2016

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 17 2006 Livingston County Parks and Open Space Plan

The County’s goals and objectives were further refi ned in 2006 in the County Parks and Open Space Plan. They include: • Acquiring additional land for parks, natural areas and open space for passive recreational uses, particularly land preserving rural character and environmentally sensitive areas; • Building partnerships between public and private parks and recreation providers; • Promoting intergovernmental cooperation between Livingston County communities; and • Identifying sources of funding for parkland acquisition and development projects.

2009 Unadilla Township Master Plan

The Township adopted future land use goals and objectives in 2009 which spells out a plan for the future development of the Township. Preservation of the community rural character, open spaces, farmland and environmentally sensitive areas is extremely important to residents of Unadilla and is refl ected in the Master Plan’s goals and objectives.

State of Michigan - Iron Belle Trail

First announced in 2012, the Iron Belle Trail (IBT) system is the longest designated state trail in the United States. The trail, which is approximately 69% complete, willDRAFT provide a 1,273 mile biking and 791 mile hiking route winding from Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood in the far northwest corner of the Upper Peninsula. The trail takes advantage of existing multi-use trail systems, and fi lls gaps between communities where needed. 11-17-2016 The IBT will become an important leg in the North Country Trail, the 4,600 mile trail system which spans from eastern New York to central North Dakota. Michigan’s section of the trail will be the longest in the North Country system. Volunteers from the North Country Trail Association perform maintenance on the hiking trails. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintains the bike trail along US-2 in the Upper Peninsula, while the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and local municipalities are responsible for the bike sections in the Lower Peninsula. The IBT has spurred a fl urry of activity across the state, with communities vying for the opportunity to connect with the system. The IBT will will eventually travel directly through Unadilla Township, following Washtenaw County’s B2B trail and connecting with the Lakelands Trail just north of the Township. Providing connections through the Pinckney and Waterloo State Recreation Areas could bring signifi cant amounts of bikers, hikers, and equestrians to the Township.

Page 18 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Figure 11: Iron Belle Trail Preliminary Route Map

DRAFT - Michigan's Iron Belle Trail Belle Isle to Ironwood - Two Routes, One Trail

KEWEENAW

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BARAGA Grand Marais

North Country Trail Depot Park Marquette North Country Trail * 522.4 Miles 522.4 Miles Trailhead GOGEBIC Ironwood MARQUETTE LUCE US-2 Bike Route 325 Miles CHIPPEWA ALGER SCHOOLCRAFT IRON US-2 Bike Route 325 Miles MACKINAC DICKINSON DELTA

St. Ignace Mackinac Island Iron Mountain 7.9 Miles Escanaba Mackinaw City

EMMET MENOMINEE North Central State Trail 63 Miles Petoskey CHEBOYGAN PRESQUE ISLE

CHARLEVOIX North Country Trail 546.4 Miles OTSEGO MONTMORENCY ALPENA ANTRIM Grayling to Gaylord Bike Path 26 Miles LEELANAU CRAWFORD OSCODA Grayling Area Community ALCONA Pathway 2.7 Miles County Iosco County Non-motorized GRAND KALKASKA BENZIE Road River Pathway 29 Miles TRAVERSE Roscommon to F-28 Grayling 16 Miles 29.7 Miles Oscoda Community Trail MISSAUKEE OGEMAW 1.9 Miles West Branch To IOSCO Sunrise Side Pathway 10.1 Miles MANISTEE WEXFORD Roscommon 25 Miles Consumers ROSCOMMON Energy MDOT M-55 ROW Powerline 4.5 Miles 10 Miles Omer to East Tawas on US-23 32.6 Miles DRAFTARENAC GLADWIN CLARE Lake State MASON LAKE OSCEOLA Railroad HURON Corridor 17 Miles Lake State RR to Bay City Fraser Township Trail 4.2 Miles State Recreation Area 1.9 Miles Bangor Rail Trail 6.4 Miles Lake State Railroad Corridor Easement 6.4 Miles OCEANA BAY Bay City Riverwalk 2.2 Miles MECOSTA ISABELLA MIDLAND Bay City Riverwalk to Harger Rail Trail 6 Miles Harger Rail Trail 19.2 Miles TUSCOLA MONTCALM GRATIOT SAGINAW Cass River Greenway to NEWAYGO Millington 7.8 Miles Harger Rail Trail to Dehmel Rd 5.9 Miles Frankenmuth Southern Links Trailway 10.3 Miles 11-17-2016Dehmel Rd to Frankenmuth 1.8 Miles SANILAC MUSKEGON Cass River Greenway to GENESEE Columbiaville to Genesee Frankenmuth 9.7 Miles Recreation Area 15.6 Miles CLINTON SHIAWASSEE Flint ST CLAIR KENT Genesee Recreation Area to Perry LAPEER OTTAWA Street Path Ending 13.7 Miles Paint Creek Trail Lowell 8.1 Miles Perry Street Path to Polly Ann North Country Trail IONIA Connectors 16.9 Miles 546.4 Miles Polly Ann Trail & Connectors 12.4 Miles MACOMB OAKLAND LIVINGSTON EATON INGHAM Clinton River Trail ALLEGAN BARRY 1.8 Miles Lakeland Trail Clinton River Trail to Connor 22.5 Miles Creek Greenway 24 Miles Detroit Connor Creek Greenway 9.4 Miles Jackson to Lakeland Trail 10.5 Miles Border WAYNE * 5.8 Miles To Belle Isle JACKSON VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO Border Detroit Riverwalk 4.3 Miles CALHOUN Trail 44.3 Miles WASHTENAW SW Detroit Greenlink 5.8 Miles Albion to Concord Elizabeth Park to Rouge River 12.3 Miles 17.5 Miles Falling Downriver Linked Greenways Grosse Ile Waters Metro Parks Bike Paths Option 11 Miles BERRIEN Trail 12.3 Miles BRANCH CASS ST JOSEPH 15.7 Miles MONROE Downriver Linked Greenways to LENAWEE Elizabeth Park 12 Miles HILLSDALE

Legend Biking Trail Hiking Trail Highways State Park Boundary Biking - Existing Trail Hiking - Existing Trail Lakes and Rivers State Land Biking - Approved For Construction Hiking - Approved for Construction City Federal Land Biking - Proposed Trail Hiking - Proposed Trail County Boundary Possible Hiking or Biking Existing Trail

** The illustrated hike and bicycle trail connections will rely upon partnership opportunities. **

January 29, 2015 Michigan Department of Natural Resources 0 20 40 80 120 160 Forest Resources Division Resource Assessment Section Ü Miles Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 19 Figure 12: Great Lake-to-Lake Route Map

Source: www.michigantrails.org

State of Michigan - Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Initiative Similar in scope to the IBT plan, the Great Lake-to-Lake trail system will take advantage of existing trail systems across the state to create a contiguous path from South Haven to Port Huron. One key section, running from Jackson north along M-106 to Stockbridge, could be completed as early as 2018. DRAFT Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel Plan for Southeast Michigan In 2014, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) released its comprehensive plan outlining non-motorized transportation opportunities11-17-2016 for the southeast Michigan area including Unadilla Township. The plan was a refi nement of the 2006 Southeast Michigan Greenways Vision, which refl ects the desired non-motorized connections in the region. The plan incorporates a number of diff erent initiatives, including The Washtenaw County Regional Trails and Greenways Vision. Figure 4 depicts the vision for the Unadilla Township area, identifying a series of existing systems which provide connections to adjacent communities including Chelsea, Stockbridge, Pinckney, Dexter, and Waterloo, as well as remaining gaps to be addressed. Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission While Unadilla is located in Livingston County, neighboring Washtenaw County’s trail related activities have made a signifi cant impact on Unadilla and other border communities. The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPRC) has made signifi cant progress toward developing non-motorized transportation facilities in Washtenaw County, with connections to neighboring Livingston and Jackson Counties. Their eff orts have focused on the development of the Border-to-Border Trail along the Huron River connecting the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Page 20 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Figure 13: B2B and “The Loop” Trail System Detail

Washtenaw County Park's B2B and "the Loop" Regional Trail System Lakelands Trail Pinckney

Stockbridge Livingston County Washtenaw County

Map of Iron Belle Trail System - Washtenaw County highlighted

Wayne County

Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County

Jackson County

Dexter

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Border-to-Border and "the Loop" Trail Sections B2B Ann Arbor Dexter to Ann Arbor...... 8.5 Miles Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti ...... 17.0 Miles 25.5 Miles "the Loop" Dexter to Chelsea ...... 7.4 Miles Chelsea to Stockbridge ...... 12.3 Miles Lakelands Trail ...... 14.8 Miles Lakelands to Dexter ...... 9.7 Miles 44.2 Miles County Line Planned Trail Township Line Completed Trail

Ypsilanti 0 1 mile DRAFT Source: Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation

11-17-2016Of particular interest to Unadilla Township is the development of the Border to Border (B2B) Trail and the proposed “Loop Trail” which would connect the communities of Stockbridge, Dexter, Chelsea, and Pinckney. The original B2B confi guration followed the Huron River north through Hudson Mills Metropark, ultimately connecting to the Lakelands Trail. The new Loop confi guration, which follows M-52 west to Stockbridge, was developed in part due easement issues with the original confi guration and to ensure that gaps in the Iron Belle Trail network were fi lled as quickly as possible. While the original confi guration has not been abandoned, its completion date has been postponed in favor of the new western route through Chelsea. Beginning in 2009, the WCPRC established “Connecting Communities” initiative, which provides funds to assist local communities in constructing non-motorized trails. The program made over $3 million available for 15 projects in 10 diff erent communities between 2010 and 2014.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Community Description Page 21 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE The administration of parks and recreation services in Unadilla Township is the responsibility of the Township Board. ADMINISTRATION A Recreation Committee was reconvened in 2016 to guide the preparation of the 2017 Recreation Plan. It was comprised of members of the Township Board who had assisted with the previous Recreation Plan. FUNDING AND BUDGET Maintenance and improvement of the existing park is funded through the Township general fund. In 2015 - 2016, the Township allocated $18,000 to recreation facilities and management.

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Image Source: Eric Livak-Dahl, Flickr Page 22 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Administrative Structure VOLUNTEERS & PARTNERSHIPS Unadilla Township now owns the former Stockbridge school building in downtown Gregory, utilizing it as the Township Offi ce. Along with the building itself, the associated playground and ball fi eld are also owned and maintained by the Township and utilized as park space. Unadilla still has a close relationship with Stockbridge schools, however, and residents regularly take advantage of recreation programs off ered by Pinckney, Stockbridge and Fowlerville Community Schools. Other organizations run various athletic recreation programs independently from the Township. For the most part, the sports programs that are available to Unadilla residents are part of the communities of Pinckney, Stockbridge and Fowlerville. These organizations oversee soccer, baseball and softball recreation leagues and programs. They are typically responsible for all expenses related to the sports programs. Some of these organizations include: • The Hamburg Community Soccer Club which off ers non-travel and travel soccer programs for boys and girls ages 14-18; • The Pinckney-Hamburg Baseball Softball Association, which provides youth recreation baseball and softball for ages 4-12, travel baseball for ages 9-18, travel softball for ages 11-14 and adult co-ed softball.

Service clubs and community groups have also played a signifi cant role in providing additional volunteer labor and fi nancial support for park facilities and programs. Resident groups that are not necessarily affi liated with any specifi c organization have also made a large impact on Unadilla facilities, assisting with maintenance and upkeep as needed. Clubs and groups which have had an active role in the Township include:DRAFT Local service clubs: Stockbridge Lions Stockbridge Legions Fowlerville11-17-2016 Rotary Fireman’s Association Scouting Groups: Boy Scouts of America Girl Scouts Recreation Use Groups: Waterloo Horsemen’s Association Brighton Trail Riders Michigan Mountain Biking Association Pinckney Pedalers Land Conservancies: Livingston Land Conservancy Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy Other Organizations: Friends of the Lakelands Trail organization Lakelands Trail Committee Adopt-a-Trail Volunteers Outside of organized groups, numerous individuals have donated time, eff ort, money, and materials towards Unadilla recreation facilities. Unadilla may want to consider connecting these individuals with the aforementioned organizations, or help them form “Friends of...” groups for the Township’s individual recreation facilities.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Administrative Structure Page 23 RECREATION INVENTORY The residents of Unadilla have a variety of available regional recreational resources. Local recreation facilities are somewhat limited, but facilities have been improved and expanded since the 2009 Recreation Plan. This section describes the local and regional recreational resources located in and around Unadilla. The information provided in this section was derived from a variety of sources including the 2009 Recreation Plan, information from Livingston County Planning Department, the Internet and a fi eld survey conducted in the fall of 2016.

LOCAL RECREATION FACILITIES Township Hall Playground Unadilla Township offi ces are housed in a former Stockbridge school building in Gregory. The property includes a half-acre fenced-in playground with a variety of play equipment, a basketball court, a ball fi eld and a portable toilet.

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 24 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Lakelands Trail Trailhead Unadilla Township’s most recent recreation addition takes the form of trailhead amenities for the Lakelands Trail in downtown Gregory. The trailhead features new expanded parking which can accommodate equestrian trailers, a horse hitch and water trough, a handicapped accessible horse mount, a new picnic pavilion with solar powered lighting, numerous picnic tables and benches, bicycle parking, a wheelchair accessible portable toilet, and new signage. The improvements were funded through a combination of state grants, volunteer labor, and private donations. The state park itself is a rails-to-trail which runs from Hamburg Township to Stockbridge for approximately 26 miles. The trail includes a 10-foot wide paved pathway in Hamburg Township and a crushed stone surface in the remaining portion. The trail segment located in Unadilla is leased from the MDNR by the Township as are the portions in Hamburg and Putnam townships. Each section is maintained and operated by the respective townships and the Friends of the Lakelands Trail in cooperation with the MDNR.

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Page 25 Unadilla Township Community Park The Township owns and maintains a 1.6-acre facility in Unadilla which has had several notable improvements since the previous Recreation Plan. The park includes a picnic shelter with new solar powered lighting, a paved walking/ running path, a large open fi eld, a portable toilet, and a new handicapped accessible play structure and swing. Other recent additions include a dog waste station and a “Little Library”.

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 26 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Figure 14: Unadilla Township Park Facilities

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PARK FACILITIES Unadilla Township, Livingston County

0 2,000 4,000 Feet

Source: Livingston County GIS Carlisle/Wortman Associates October 5, 2016

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Page 27 Table 7: Unadilla Township Park Facilities ACCESS PASSIVE USE MISC. TRAILS

PARK NAME TYPE* AREA PARKING HANDICAP ACCESS EQUIPMENT PLAY / BENCHES TABLES PICNIC PAVILION RESTROOMS LITTLE LIBRARY BIKE PARKING TRAIL / HIKE WALK PAVED TRAIL UNPAVED EQUESTRIAL FACILITIES Unadilla Township C •••••• • Community Park Township Offi ce N •• •• Playground Lakelands Trail Trailhead T •• ••• • •• Type key: C = Community park, N = Neighborhood park, T = Trail

PRESERVES AND NATURAL AREAS Unadilla Township also contains three preserves and natural areas which are owned by land conservancies and by the University of Michigan. The land conservancy sites are open to the public for hiking, nature viewing and guided tours. DRAFT The 13-acre Unadilla Preserve was donated by Fay and Almeda Roepcke. Located on Williamsville Road, the preserve contains rolling upland woods and includes a portion of the shoreline along Unadilla Mill Pond. The Unadilla State Wildlife Area11-17-2016 is part of the Gregory State Game Area and is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The property, dedicated for wildlife conservation and management by the DNR Wildlife Division, consists of approximately 1,106 acres of rolling mixed forest. It is located behind the Presbyterian Church on Williamsville Road west of Unadilla.

Image Source: Google, Unagi Unagi

Page 28 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory The Morris-Reichert Nature Preserve is owned by the Southeast Michigan Land conservancy and contains 242 acres of rolling hills and woodlands. It is located on Dexter Trail Road and Dutton Road in the northwest quadrant of the Township and is a refuge for bluebirds and foxes.

Image Source: MLive.com The Edwin S. George Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary and research area owned by the University of Michigan. It includes 268 acres in Unadilla Township and 1,300 acres of land in Putnam Township. Just south of the reserve is a fomer campground which had been sold to the UniversityDRAFT and which has been redeveloped as a camp for children with chronic and life-threatening health challenges. The 105-acre North Star Reach, located just north of Kaiserville on a peninsula between Patterson and Woodburn Lakes, will serve 1,500 area children and their families free-of-charge each year, including those with cancer, heart disease, ventilator dependency, organ 11-17-2016transplants, sickle cell disease and other conditions.

Image Source: University of Michigan / North Star Reach

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Page 29 REGIONAL RECREATION FACILITIES In addition to the local recreation facilities, there are almost 3,000 acres of state- owned recreational facilities in Unadilla Township as well as an approximate additional 43,000 acres of parkland owned by the state and the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) in adjoining townships. These facilities are considered regional recreational facilities. They are large facilities that provide opportunities such as camping, swimming, boating, hiking and golfi ng which are typically beyond the ability of a local municipality to provide. Figure 6 depicts the location of the regional parks and Table 8 lists the recreational activities they off er. A detailed description of the regional facilities located in Unadilla Township follows. Figure 15: Regional Recreation Facilities

Flint

SLEEPY HOLLOW METAMORA-HADLEY STATE PARK RECREATION AREA ORTONVILLE RECREATION AREA HOLLY RECREATION AREA SEVEN LAKES STATE PARK BALD MOUNTAIN INDIAN SPRINGS RECREATION AREA METROPARK Lansing PONTIAC LAKE RECREATION AREA HIGHLAND RECREATION AREA Howell DODGE 4 STATE PARK DRAFTKENSINGTON PROUD LAKE METROPARK RECREATION AREA BRIGHTON RECREATION AREA ISLAND LAKE HURON MEADOWSRECREATION AREA PINCKNEY METROPARK RECREATION AREA MAYBURY MERIDIAN-BASELINE STATE PARK STATE PARK HUDSON MILLS Detroit 11-17-2016WATERLOO METROPARK RECREATION AREA DEXTER-HURON DELHI METROPARK METROPARK Dearborn Ann Arbor Jackson

LOWER HURON METROPARK WATKINS LAKE WILLOW STATE PARK METROPARK OAKWOODS METROPARK HAYES LAKE ERIE STATE PARK METROPARK

STERLING STATE PARK Monroe

COLDWATER LAKE HUDSON STATE PARK RECREATION AREA

30-mile radius REGIONAL RECREATION FACILITIES 60-mile radius Unadilla Township, Livingston County

0105Miles

Source: State of Michigan / MDNR GIS Carlisle/Wortman Associates November 14, 2016

Page 30 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Table 8: Regional Park Amenities STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS HCMA METROPARKS OTHER

AMENITIES Area Recreation Brighton Cty) (Livingston 4,947 acres GameDansville State Area (Ingham 4,200 acres Cty) Gregory 3,312 Acres Game State Area in Unadilla Cty(Livingston - 2,452 acres Twp) - Park State Trails Lakeland 26 miles (~6 in Unadilla) Area Pinckney Recreation Washtenaw & Livingston 11,000 acres in Unadilla) 539 acres Counties, Area Recreation Waterloo (Washtenaw & Jackson ) 20,500 acres Metropark Meadows Huron (Washtenaw Cty) 1,540 Acres Metropark Dexter Huron (Washtenaw Cty) 122 Acres Hudson Mills Metropark (Washtenaw Cty) 1,508 Ac. Haehnle emorial SanctuaryPhyllis (Jackson900 Ac Cty) Picnicking • • •••• Passive Playground • • •••• Unimproved Trail ••• • Paved Trail •• Nature/hiking trail • • • •••• • Trails Mountain biking trail ••• Equestrian trail • ••• Cross-country skiing • •••• • Snowmobiling •• Swimming beach •••DRAFT Boat launch •• • • • Boat rental •••• Water Canoeing •••• activities Shore fi shing 11-17-2016•• • • ••• Dock fi shing •••• Boat fi shing •• • • •• Winter & Ice fi shing •• •• Seasonal Ice skating • Activities Hunting •• • • • Nature center • Interpretive Nature viewing •• • • •••• • Baseball/softball ••• Soccer • Court & turf Court games ••••• games Disk golf •• Golf course •• Banquet / events •• Misc. Horse stable ••• Rustic campsite •• •• Modern campsite ••• Camping Canoe camping • Cabin rental ••• Group camping •••

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Page 31 Gregory State Game Area / Unadilla State Wildlife Refuge Gregory State Game Area has over 3,400 acres of land straddling Washtenaw and Livingston Counties. Approximately 2,452 acres of the Game Area are located in Unadilla Township. It incorporates the Unadilla Wildlife Refuge in which seasonal hunting, fi shing, hiking, and camping are allowed. The Unadilla Township portion includes the following activities and facilities: • Parking on in several areas; • Hiking trails; • Boat launch on Duck Lake; • Hunting; • Fishing; and • Camping

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Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Page 33 Pinckney Recreation Area This 11,000 acre recreation area spans Washtenaw and Livingston counties with a small portion located in Unadilla Township (about 539 acres). It is comprised of three major use areas: Silver Lake day use area, Bruin Lake campground and Halfmoon day use facility. The Bruin Lake campground is accessible from Kaiser Road in Unadilla. Activities and facilities include: • Picnic areas/shelters with playground; • Two swimming beaches with concession, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits at Halfmoon and Silver Lake day use areas; • 62 miles of trails for hiking, 24 miles for mountain biking, 8 miles of equestrian trail and 59 miles of cross-country skiing trails; • Several boat launches on many of the lakes and a boat rental on Silver Lake; • Fishing pier on Silver Lake and shore fi shing on all lakes; • Snowmobiling in designated areas; • 269 modern campsites, four 4-person cabins available for rent (one wheelchair accessible) and four 6-person cabins (two wheelchair accessible) with electricity; and • Seasonal hunting. DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 34 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory DRAFT 11-17-2016

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Page 35 COMPARISON TO RECREATION STANDARDS The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has classifi ed parks and recommended a minimum amount of desired parkland for a given population size. Although these guidelines are useful in pointing out minimum requirements, a community’s recreation system should be tailored to meet the needs of the community and not based on national guidelines. According to the NRPA, parks and open spaces are categorized as mini- parks, neighborhood parks, community parks, and regional parks. The mini, neighborhood, and community parks are the close-to-home parks, designed to satisfy the recreational needs of local communities within a service radius of up to two miles. There are no close-to-home parks in Unadilla Township. According to NRPA standards, the amount of close-to-home parkland recommended is 6.25 to 10.5 acres for every 1,000 residents. Regional parks and preserves are parks that serve a broader area (a service radius of about 40 miles) than community parks and focus on meeting the recreation needs of the region as well as preserving unique landscapes and open spaces. This would include the state-owned, HCMA, and County parks and recreation areas described in the preceding pages. The NRPA suggested standard for regional parks is 15 to 20 acres of parkland per 1,000 people. Other types of parks including school sites, greenways, and private recreation facilities, which can also contribute to the local park and recreation system. Other types of parks include the following: • Schoolyards: areas that can fulfi ll the space requirements for other classes of parks such as neighborhood and community parks, which include the former schoolDRAFT facility in Gregory; • Greenways: areas that link park system components together to form a continuous park environment, which include the Lakelands Trail; and • Natural Resource Areas:11-17-2016 land set aside for the preservation of signifi cant natural resources or open spaces, which include the land conservancy sites. According to the NRPA standards, the Township Park does not meet the minimum acreage for close-to-home parkland. The recreation facilities provided by the land conservancies, however, are open to the public and located in the area. In addition, the residents of the Unadilla are well served by the regional parks provided by the state that are located in Unadilla and in adjacent townships. Table 9: Suggested Parkland & Acreage Required Required NRPA Minimum Parkland Acres Parkland Acres Standard Acres (Based on 2016 (Based on 2040 per 1,000 population of population of 2016 Parkland Type of Park residents 3,369) 4,635) Existing Acreage Defi ciency Close to Home 6.25 - 10.5 21 - 35 27 - 45 2.1 -19 Parkland Regional Parks (w/in 15 - 20 49 - 66 62 - 84 2,992 - Unadilla) School Sites n/a n/a n/a 16.5 - Trails n/a n/a n/a 6 miles -

Page 36 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory ACCESSIBILITY ASSESSMENT & GRANT-ASSISTED PROJECTS A critical component in planning for recreation facilities is providing barrier- free access in order to accommodate the needs of all people, including those with disabilities. The ranking system suggested by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Guidelines (2010) was used to evaluate the parks. The ranking system ranges from 1 to 5 and is described as follows: 1. None of the facilities meet accessibility guidelines; 2. Some of the facilities/park areas meet accessibility guidelines; 3. Most of the facilities/park areas meet accessibility guidelines; 4. The entire park meets accessibility guidelines; and 5. The entire park was developed/renovated using the principles of universal design. Table 10: Accessibility Assessment

Facility Name Rating Comments Lack of accessible parking primary reason for 2 rating. New playground structures are ADA Unadilla Township 2 compliant, but lack a barrier free path to the Community Park structures. At least one of the swings on the new swingset should be accessible. Unadilla Township No accessible paths. Play structures are not 1 Offi ces Park accessible. DRAFTAll of the new facilities including the portable toilets are designed to be accessible. The handicap accessible horse mount is specifi cally designed Lakelands Trail 3 for universal accessibility. The trail itself, however, Trailhead is loose gravel. Resurfacing with compacted 11-17-2016crushed limestone would bring the trail up to ADA standards.

MDNR GRANT FUND STATUS Unadilla Township has received two MDNR grants for the development of parks facilities, and one additional grant from the Chelsea Welness Foundation for the purchase of a playscape.

Table 11: MDNR Grant Fund Status

Grant Source Year Amount Grant # Description / Status Unadilla Township Community Park: Walking trail around Recreation 2013 $39,676.00 RP11-430 perimeter of park, pathway from Barnum Road to pavilion, solar Passport Grant lighiting in pavilion. Improvements are in excellent condition. Lakelands Trail Trailhead: Handicap accessible horse mounting block, bike racks, park benches, picnic tables, pavilion with solar Recreation 2015 $60,000.00 RP13-480 lighting, pathway from parking area to pavilion/beginning of trail, Passport Grant handicap parking space, decorative fencing. Improvements are in excellent condition. Chelsea Wellness Unadilla Township Community Park: New handicap accessible 2013 $15,500.00 n/a Foundation play structure.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Recreation Inventory Page 37 DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 38 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Public Input PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT An essential task in the recreation planning process is to determine the needs of the community as a basis for an action plan to improve the parks and recreation system. The needs provide the rationale for the goals and objectives and identify areas for future improvement. To assess needs, consideration was given to current recreation trends, park talks, a public meeting with public offi cials, staff , and residents, and other identifi ed needs.

NATIONAL RECREATION TRENDS Recreation trends on a national level provide insight into activities that show the greatest growth in popularity and may aff ect the future direction of parks and recreation. According to the Physical Activity Council’s 2016 Participation Report, there has been a slight increase in overall activity; inactivity levels dropped from 28.3% in 2014 to 27.7% in 2016. “Gen Z” (those born in this millenium) have the highest team sport participation rate, while Millenials and “Gen X”ers have high participation in fi tness sports. The 2013 Sports, Fitness and Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report shows a steady increase in outdoor sports and fi tness sports since 2008. Walking for fi tness is by far the most popular activity, with more than double the total participants for its closest competitor. Michigan is comparatively active with 33.4 - 35.4 percent of its population individuals shown to be active to a healthy level. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, Michigan residents are more than twice as likely asDRAFT the average American to participate in water skiing, in-line roller skating, snowboarding, play softball, or hunt with a bow and arrow. Swimming for fi tness was the most commonly listed “aspirational” sports, or sport which most interest non-participants. Camping and bicycling were 11-17-2016highly rated across all age groups.

Table 12: National Sports Participation, 2013 Participation 5 year Activity (in thousands) growth rate Walking for fi tness 114,029 1.0% Running/jogging 51,450 4.7% Treadmill 50,839 0.3% Bowling 48,614 -4.1% Free weights (hand weights) 46,564 1.2% Bicycling (road) 39,790 0.1% Fishing (freshwater) 39,002 -2.3% Weight/resistance machines 38,999 -0.1% Free weights (dumbbells) 36,604 2.5% Stretching 35,873 -0.1%

Source: 2013 Sports, Fitness and Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Public Input Page 39 Outdoor, individually oriented sports tended to be among the fastest growing activities. Telemarking, a form of skiing which mixes Nordic and Alpine methods was the fastest growing sport over the past fi ve years. Adventure racing and triathlons rounded out the top three. One of the common themes of these activities is the relative lack of equipment and facilities required. Traditional outdoor team sports, such as baseball, football, and soccer, conversely demonstrated negative growth. It should be noted, however, that total participation in the fastest growing sport groups is still comparatively low, and the combined number of participants in these activities do not begin to approach the total participants in the traditional team sports. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration have published a list of future trends compiled from diff erent sources that will infl uence the direction of recreation planning and programming. These trends include an increase in: • Environmentally sensitive lifestyles, natural areas management and water quality protection, • Concerns for personal and family security, in the importance for wellness activities and a desire to preserve and maintain cultural heritage, • Public costs, in the provision of leisure services through the public and private sectors and partnerships, a greater recognition of the economic value of parks, open space, and green infrastructure, and • Senior citizens, fewer traditional family households, greater number of smaller households and an increase in cultural diversity of residents. DRAFT Monitoring parks and recreation trends is important in determining how parks and recreation services should evolve. Conclusions regarding the implication of the trends noted combined with the demographic and physical characteristics of the Unadilla Township are summarized11-17-2016 below: • As population increases, demand for recreation will likely increase; • Recreation facilities and programs should respond to the expected increase of seniors; • There is and will continue to be a demand for more linear parks, trails, and pathways for recreation and non-motorized transportation; • With the increased popularity of exercise walking and fi tness related activities, there will continue to be an increased importance on recreation contributing to walkable, livable, and sustainable communities; and • The continued collaboration and partnerships between public, private, and non-profi t agencies as well as with adjacent local municipalities for the provision of parks and recreation programs and facilities will be critical to help meet Unadilla’s recreation requirements.

Page 40 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Public Input PUBLIC INPUT MEETING & RESIDENT SURVEY The public was invited to attend an open house held at the Unadilla Township Offi ce on October 19, 2016, immediately following a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Lakelands Trail facilities. The fair was an opportunity for the community to discuss topics related to the Township’s Recreation Plan. A notice was published in the Chelsea Sun Times newspaper and the Township’s website. In addition, a public notice was posted at Township Offi ce and fl yers were posted at several locations around the Township. The meeting was relatively free-form in nature, with participants asked to describe their preferences for existing facilities and discuss opportunities for new facilities throughout the Township. The majority of the meeting was spent discussing the new trailhead and possible future improvements. Concepts brought up at the meeting include: • Resurfacing of the Lakelands Trail with crushed limestone to bring the trail up to ADA standards • New trailheads at Dutton Road and at the intersection of Barton Road and M-36 • A dog waste station and Little Library at the trailhead • Benches close to the trailhead and further along the trail • A memorial plaque or boulder engraving to recognize the donations of Michael Levine

Visions for Unadilla Township Community Park include: DRAFT• Purchase of the old schoolhouse due to its historical signifi cance; could be utilized as a parking area and possible community center • Extension of the walking paths to the new play structure and north of 11-17-2016the existing pavilion

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Public Input Page 41 PUBLIC REVIEW & PUBLIC HEARING After the Steering Committee considered the input received through the survey and the public session, and reviewed recreation trends, defi ciencies, and other background information, they established the Recreation Plan’s goals, objectives, and an action program for implementation. A draft Plan was then prepared and made available for public review beginning on November XX, 2016. Copies were placed at the Township Hall, on the Township’s website, the Stockbridge Library, the Unadilla Party Store and The Gregory Market. The plan’s availability was posted in the Sun Times (Appendix A). The public input into the plan culminated in an advertised public hearing held on December XX, 2016 (Appendix C). After the hearing, the Township Board adopted the plan (Appendix D). Following public review, the Steering Committee approved the draft Plan and recommended its adoption by Township Board at a meeting held on January XX, 2017 (Appendix B). The public input on the Recreation Plan culminated in an advertised public hearing held on January XX, 2017 (Appendix C). Following the hearing, the Plan was adopted by the Township Board (Appendix D). The parks and recreation issues considered by the Parks and Recreation Committee are summarized into the following main themes: 1. Park improvement and development; 2. Parkland acquisition; and 3. Community parks and recreation services. These issues served to formulate the goals and objectives of the Unadilla Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan.DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 42 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Public Input GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The Unadilla Township Recreation Committee has formulated the following goals and objectives for the next fi ve-year planning period. The goals and objectives are broad enough to encompass the needs expressed from the public and from Township offi cials and the observed defi ciencies in the recreation resources of the area. They also consider demographics, current growth and forecasted development, the area’s physical resources and recreation trends.

GOALS Unadilla Township should provide outdoor recreational opportunities for persons of all ages and all abilities that are well-maintained and safe. Unadilla Township should consider the future needs of the community and take actions to dedicate parkland in order to meet future recreational needs of the community.

OBJECTIVES

1. Improve the Lakelands Trail

The Lakelands Trail is a great asset to the community and its continued improvement is recognized as a priority for the community. Resurfacing of the trail with crushed limestone and smaller improvements such as the addition of a Little Library, a dog waste station, and benches near the trailhead and along the trail itself are projects the Township would like to DRAFTpursue. 2. Improve Existing Park Facilities

In keeping with the goal of making park facilities accessible for persons of 11-17-2016all ages and abilities, barrier-free paths to playground structures should be incorporated at Unadilla Township Community Park and the Unadilla Township Offi ce Playground. Other amenities, such as drinking fountains and benches, are also priorities.

2. Acquire and develop new recreation facilities

Potential land acquisition and parkland dedication should focus on preserving and protecting high quality natural areas, local rural, historic and educational opportunities as well as providing open space for active recreation use and community gathering. Of particular interest for the community is the potential aquisition of the old schoolhouse on Barnum Road for use as a community center.

Coordination with the Township Board and Planning Commission will be necessary to preserve open space and dedicate parkland in new developments.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Goals & Objectives Page 43 4. Administration, fi nance and funding

Unadilla Township recreation resources are owned and operated by a variety of public and private entities such as the state, Stockbridge Community Schools, Unadilla Township, land conservancies and others. Coordination between and among the various entities maximizes the community’s recreation potential. Recent park and trail improvements have been covered by a combination of disbursements from the Township’s general fund and a variety of grant funding and other donations. The Township must continue eff orts to generate revenues through grants and fundraising to provide necessary capital for improvement projects and parkland acquisition.

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 44 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Goals & Objectives ACTION PROGRAM The action program details the manner in which the goals and objectives will be met. It includes a list of specifi c projects as well as a schedule with suggested capital improvement projects, timeframe and strategies for implementation. ACTION PLAN The following outlines the list of specifi c projects and actions which are recommended for the next fi ve years. A preliminary non-motorized pathway plan showing the proposed improvements is also included on Figure 13. I. Improve the Lakelands Trail Improving the Lakelands Trail is a high priority for the community. Improvements will best be accomplished through coordination with the MDNR and the Friends of the Lakelands Trail. Proposed improvements recommended include: • Resurfacing the trail with crushed limestone to a 10-foot width; • Construction of a trailhead areas at the intersection of Barton and M-36 and at the intersection of the trail and Dutton Road, including parking, staging area for equestrians, bike facilities, picnic area, restroom and other pedestrian amenities; • Provision of safe crossings, installation of signs and map, bollards, and pedestrian amenities such as benches, dog waste facilities, and drinking fountains where possible along the trail; and • Development of a geographically linked discovery application DRAFTwhich would highlight signifi cant natural and historical features on the trails, at the Township’s parks, and at other important locations around the Township. Justifi cation: This action is a signifi cant need identifi ed at the public 11-17-2016meeting and responds to national and regional trends. II. Improve Unadilla Township Community Park As the Township’s fl agship park, Unadilla Community Park remains a priority for future park improvements. The proposed improvements include: • Aquisition and restoration of the schoolhouse on Barnum Road; • Construction of a small parking area at the schoolhouse site; • Expansion of the walking path to meet the new play equipment and shorten the distance between the pavilion and the path; • Provision of a water fountain with provisions for humans and dogs; • Development of a soft surface trail in the wooded area with interpretive signs. • Addition of interpretive signs and nature identifi cation stations Justifi cation: These items were identifi ed at the public meeting and respond to observed defi ciencies as well as environmental and social trends identifi ed in the previous section.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program Page 45 III. Improve Unadilla Township Offi ce Playground The playground represents one of the few play opportunities for families within a short walking distance of downtown Gregory. As with the other Township properties, the playground should be developed in a manner which makes it as inclusive as possible. Possible improvements include: • Provide barrier-free access to playground amenities; and • Replace dated equipment as necessary with structures designed to be inclusive.

Justifi cation: These items were identifi ed at the public meeting and respond to observed defi ciencies.

IV. Acquire and dedicate parkland Future parkland acquisition and dedication is an important action the Township should consider as opportunities arise. Desired parkland should focus on providing active recreation use and preserving local rural, historic and educational opportunities. Desired properties would include enough room for a variety of active and passive recreation uses such as sports fi elds, specialized recreational uses, walking paths and picnic areas. Properties contiguous to existing parks and open spaces are also desirable. Example of a specialized recreation use may include a working farm with cultivated fi elds and livestock which would protect Unadilla’s agricultural heritage and provide educational opportunities. Properties with natural features providing habitat preservation and nature related activities would also be desirable. Land acquisition whichDRAFT would provide areas for active recreation uses is also desirable for Unadilla. It will be important to work with the Township Board and the Planning Commission to ensure parkland needs are considered in the review of new developments and to encourage11-17-2016 or develop regulations for developers to set aside land for park facilities. It will also be important to work with Livingston County, area land conservancies, and other organizations.

Justifi cation: This action responds to trends related to the demographic and physical characteristics of the area.

5. Administration, fi nance and maintenance Facilitate communication and partnerships to promote the shared use of the area’s parks and recreation resources including the state, schools, land conservancies and private recreation providers as well as the Township facilities by community groups. A means of generating operational costs and revenues where possible should be pursued to support the improvement projects mentioned above and to maintain the existing park facilities to a high quality standard. Seeking grants and support must be done aggressively. The Unadilla Township Recreation Committee must continue to promote and advocate the social, economic and environmental value and benefi ts of parks and recreation by reaching out to the community and the region.

Page 46 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program The Township Recreation Committee could develop and organize an afterschool program at the Township Hall and community events could take place at the Unadilla Community Park such as a movie night, concerts in the park, and a farmers market.

Justifi cation: This action is recommended to implement the current master plan.

DRAFT 11-17-2016

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program Page 47 PROJECT SCHEDULE Table 8 outlines a list of specifi c projects and actions which are recommended to be accomplished during the planning period. The project goal and objective reference, preliminary cost estimate, potential funding sources, and time frame for completion are also identifi ed. Short term projects (ST) are recommended for completion within one to two years while long term projects (LT) may take longer to be completed, within fi ve to six years. Medium term projects (MT) are recommended for completion from 2 to 5 years, while on-going projects (OG) include activities which should occur on a regular basis.

Table 13: Project Tasks

Project Cost Estimate Funding Source Time Frame Lakelands Trail Apply for grants and conduct fundraising for trail --OG improvements. $250,000 /mile, Resurface the trail with crushed limestone and General fund, grants, $1.5 million ST - LT develop a parallel equestrian trail donations total Build a trailhead at the intersection of Barton and General fund, grants, M-36 including parking, staging, picnic shelter, - LT donations restroom, and other amenities Build a trailhead on Dutton Road including parking, General fund, grants staging, picnic shelter, restrooms, and other - LT donations amenities DRAFT Develop safe crossings, signs and maps, bollards, General fund, grants, - ST and other trail amenities donations General fund, grants, Purchase ADA accessible picnic tables $2400 ST 11-17-2016 donations Install Little Library and dog waste station at Gregory General fund, $300 ST trailhead donations Install dedication rock at Gregory trailhead $600 General fund ST

Unadilla Township Apply for grants and conduct fundraising for park --OG Comunity Park improvements To be General fund, grants, Acquire schoolhouse site MT determined donations General fund, grants, Develop parking area - LT donations Expand walkway to meet with playground structure General fund, grants, - ST and connect pavilion to north path donations Purchase accessible swing unit for inclusion on General fund, $600 ST existing swingset donations General fund, grants, Purchase ADA accessible picnic table $1200 ST donations Install drinking fountain with dog bowl feature General fund, grants, $7000 MT including well drilling donations

Page 48 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program Project Cost Estimate Funding Source Time Frame Unadilla Township Apply for grants and conduct fundraising for --OG Hall Playground playground improvements Develop barrier-free pathway to playground General fund, grants, $4,000 ST structures - ~350 linear feet donations Purchase accessible swing units for inclusion on General fund, grants, $600 ST existing swingsets donations Upgrade aging structures with handicap General fund, grants, $40,000 LT accessible structures as required donations

Parkland Consider parkland acquisition to provide Acquisition active recreation use and rural, historic, and --LT educational opportunities Work with the Township Board and Planning Commission to review development proposals --OG and encourage developers to set aside open space, parkland, and trails Seek partnerships with the State of Michigan, Livingston County, area land conservancies, and --OG others for parkland acquisition, development, and management DRAFT Administration, Create a committee to meet with MDNR, Finance, and Livingston County, Stockbridge Community Maintenance Schools, land conservancies, and local groups --OG to consider11-17-2016 opportunities for shared services and facilities. Identify fund raising opportunities and potential --OG grant seeking opportunities as an on-going task Maintain and develop volunteer opportunities --OG Attract sponsors and donations for installing benches, trash receptacles, mile markers and --OG signs in the park or along the Lakelands Trail Develop a smartphone application that allows users to retrieve information on sites and To be General fund, grants, ST amenities along Lakelands Trail or in Township determined donations parks Develop a walking club, an afterschool program at the Township Hall and community events To be such as a movie night, concerts in the park, and General fund ST determined a farmers market at the Unadilla Community Park Continuously advocate and promote parks and --OG recreation to the community

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program Page 49 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES To accomplish the recommended actions during the next fi ve years, it will be necessary to secure adequate funding. The current budget provides only a limited amount of funds for park development and improvements. The amount is short of the projected expenses involved in the project schedule. Therefore, the following strategies are recommended to proceed as planned. • Apply for Federal Funding At the federal level, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) funds Transportation Enhancements (TE) activities. To be eligible, a project must fall into one of the 12 TE activities and relate to surface transportation. A minimum 20 percent local match is required for proposed projects and applications are accepted online on an ongoing basis. Activities which may apply to Unadilla Township include: • Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles including rail trails such as the Lakelands Trail; • Provision of safety and educational programs for pedestrians and bicyclists designed to encourage walking and bicycling; and • To facilitate the planning, development, and construction of projects and activities improving safety and reducing traffi c, fuel consumption and air pollution.

A minimum 20 percent local match is required for proposed projects and applications are accepted online on an on-going basis. • Apply for State Funding DRAFT At the state level, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) continue to be the primary funding sources for parkland acquisition and development. The MNRTF provides funding11-17-2016 for the purchase and development of parkland for natural resource based preservation and recreation. Grant proposals must include a local match of at least 25 percent of the total project cost. There is no minimum or maximum for acquisition projects. For development projects, the minimum funding request is $15,000 and the maximum is $500,000. Applications are due in April and August for acquisition projects and April (only) for development projects.

The LWCF is a federal appropriation to the National Park Service, which distributes funds to the MDNR for development of outdoor recreation facilities. The focus of the program has recently been on trailway systems and other community recreation needs such as playgrounds, picnic areas, skate parks, ball fi elds, soccer fi elds and walking paths. Minimum grant requests are $30,000 and maximum grant requests are $75,000. The match percentage must be 50 percent of the total project cost. Applications are due April 1 each year.

Page 50 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program Other funding conducted in partnership with the MDNR is available through other state government divisions, such as the Fisheries Division (Aquatic Habitat Grant) and the Michigan Forestry and Park Association (Consumers Energy Community Tree Planting Grant Program). The Aquatic Habitat Grant program considers projects that improve fi sh and other aquatic organism populations by protecting intact and rehabilitating degraded aquatic habitat. A total of $1,250,000 was made available beginning in 2013 and will operate while funds are available.

The Consumers Energy Foundation Tree Planting funds are available to local units of government within the service territory of Consumers Energy for tree planting projects on lands open to the public. A total of up to $2,500 may be awarded to a single municipality per calendar year.

Non-game Wildlife Fund Grants have also been off ered in the past to identify, protect, manage and restore native plant and animal species, natural communities and other natural features.

• Apply for Other Grant Funding There are also a variety of smaller grant programs available for the establishment of pathways or greenway-related facilities such as Bikes Belong Coalition. The Bikes Belong Coalition is sponsored by members of the American Bicycle Industry. Their mission is to put more people on bikes more often. The program funds projects in three categories: facility, education, and capacity building. Requests for funding can be up to $10,000 for projects such as bike paths, trails, lanes, parking and safe DRAFTroutes to school. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. • Increase Support for Parks

Public support for parks and recreation is crucial in determining the level of services Unadilla Township will be able to provide in the future. 11-17-2016A specifi c project millage over a limited period could be considered in the future for specifi c capital expenditures such as a park acquisition or development project.

• Seek Other Sources of Funding

Unadilla Township should continue to investigate additional sources of funding. Seeking donations, attracting sponsors, holding fund- raising events and seeking out other revenue sources are methods that should be pursued aggressively to raise funds for park acquisition and development.

The Township should investigate additional sources of funding. Seeking donations, attracting sponsors, holding fund-raising events and seeking out other revenue sources are methods that should be pursued aggressively to raise funding for recreation facility development.

Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program Page 51 DRAFT 11-17-2016

Page 52 Unadilla Township 2017 Recreation Master Plan - Action Program