Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2009 – 2014 Adopted February 2, 2009 Page Ii
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City of Inkster Parks and Recreation Plan 2009 – 2014 Inkster, Michigan Adopted February 2, 2009 City of Inkster Parks and Recreation Plan 2009 – 2014 Inkster, Michigan Adopted February 2, 2009 Prepared by: 235 East Main Street, Suite 105 Northville, Michigan 48167 Telephone: (248) 596-0920 Facsimile: (248) 596-0930 www.mcka.com Adopted February 2, 2009 Page i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The participation and cooperation of community leaders and residents in the preparation of the City of Rochester Hills Parks and Recreation Plan 2006 – 2010 is greatly appreciated. We particularly acknowledge the efforts of the following individuals: City Council Hilliard L. Hampton II, Mayor Patrick Wimberly, Mayor Pro-Tem Michael A. Canty Michael A. Greene Marcus L. Hendricks Courtney J. Owens Timothy Williams City Manager, Ann K. Capela Parks and Recreation Commission Martin Bryant Chris Crawley Charles Hines Shelby Johnson Vernell Massey Norma McDaniel Gloria Mitchell James Richardson, IV Tonia Williams Parks and Recreation Department Ron Wolkowicz, Director City of Inkster McKenna Associates, Inc. Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2009 – 2014 Adopted February 2, 2009 Page ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments Table of Contents ..............................................................................................................................................ii List of Maps.......................................................................................................................................................iii List of Tables.....................................................................................................................................................iii List of Figures....................................................................................................................................................iii 1. Introduction ............................................................................................1-1 2. Community Description ........................................................................ 2-1 3. Recreation and Resource Inventory ...................................................... 3-1 A. Facilities Inventory............................................................................................................ 3-1 B. Natural Resources............................................................................................................ 3-21 C. Analysis of Existing Facilities ........................................................................................ 3-26 4. Description of the Planning and Public Input Process......................... 4-1 5. Goals and Objectives ............................................................................. 5-1 6. Action Program...................................................................................... 6-1 Appendix A 1. Plan Certification Checklist 2. Copy of Notice of Availability of Draft Plan for Public Review and Comment 3. Copy of Notice for Public Meeting 4. Copy of Meeting Minutes/Planning Commission Resolution (1/12/09) 5. Copy of City Council Resolution (2/2/09) 6. Transmittal to County Planning Agency 7. Transmittal to Regional Planning Agency Appendix B 1. Dozier Recreation Center – Senior Center Addition City of Inkster McKenna Associates, Inc. Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2009 – 2014 Adopted February 2, 2009 Page iii LIST OF MAPS Map1: Regional Location............................................................................................................................ 1-1 Map 2: School District.................................................................................................................................. 3-2 Map 3: Park Location ................................................................................................................................... 3-3 Map 4: Existing Regional Park and Recreation Facilities...................................................................... 3-17 Map 5: Existing Land Use.......................................................................................................................... 3-22 Map 6: Parks and Recreation Service Area.............................................................................................. 3-25 LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1: Age Distribution.......................................................................................................................... 1-1 Table 2.2: Mobility and Self-Care Limitations........................................................................................... 2-2 Table 2.3: Racial Distribution....................................................................................................................... 2-3 Table 2.4: Household Income...................................................................................................................... 2-4 Table 2.5: Occupation................................................................................................................................... 2-5 Table 3.1: Parks and Recreation Facilities and Inventory .......................................................................3-4 Table 3.2: Parks Classifications.................................................................................................................... 3-5 Table 3.3: Regional Recreation Inventory................................................................................................ 3-15 Table 3.4: Recreation Expenses and Revenues ....................................................................................... 3-20 Table 3.5: Existing Land Use ..................................................................................................................... 3-23 Table 3.6: Park Acreage Evaluation .......................................................................................................... 3-26 Table 3.7: Recreation Facilities Evaluation .............................................................................................. 3-27 Table 6.1: Action Plan................................................................................................................................... 6-1 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 3.1: Administrative Structure ......................................................................................................... 3-18 City of Inkster McKenna Associates, Inc. Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2009 – 2014 1- Introduction – Adopted February 2, 2009 Page 1 I. INTRODUCTION Considered a suburb of Detroit, the City of Inkster lies 8 miles west of Detroit in Wayne County. Inkster is mostly developed, with some significant open space remaining along the Lower Rouge River. Michigan Avenue, a major east/west highway, bisects the City into a northern half and a southern half. City of Inkster McKenna Associates, Inc. Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2009 – 2014 1- Introduction – Adopted February 2, 2009 Page 2 Historically, the area was part of Bucklin Township, a 143 square mile area later divided into Inkster, Dearborn, Livonia, Redford and Nankin, (now Westland). The City is named for Robert Inkster, a Scottish immigrant who operated a steam sawmill on present-day Inkster Road near Michigan Avenue. Prior to European settlement, Native Americans from the Ottawa, Potowatami, Wyandotte and Huron tribes occupied the area. Inkster’s history with the automobile industry has had a significant impact on its economy and population. During the 1920’s people were drawn to Inkster for its proximity to the Ford manufacturing plant in Dearborn, and Henry Ford’s five-dollar workday. The City grew and prospered until the Great Depression hit. In 1931, the City went bankrupt and was without electricity and water until Henry Ford provided assistance. The 1940’s again brought prosperity - wartime production meant increased employment and housing development. This trend continued in the post-war decades of the 1950’s and 1960’s, as residential housing, supplemented by a series of public housing projects, were developed to support the community’s burgeoning population. In the 1970’s, rising oil prices sent the national economy into a downturn. Inkster with its long tradition of manufacturing employment, was hard hit with long periods of unemployment, outward migration, and neglect. Inkster’s population has steadily declined since the 1970’s, and has recently leveled-out to just over 30,000 (2000 U.S. Census). Today, Inkster’s economy is more diverse and less tied to a single industry. Service-based jobs, transportation industry and retail trade are all significant areas of employment for Inkster residents. The recent completion of the Downtown Development Authority master plan and MDOT study of Michigan Avenue may foster redevelopment opportunities along the City’s major business corridor: (Michigan Ave. (US 12). At the same time, new residential development is expected to bring new residents. Several infill housing development projects have been started or completed in recent years. These are the result of recent efforts to improve vitality and quality of life in Inkster. Recreation plays a vital role in the quality of life for residents in the City of Inkster. By providing places to gather, play and stay active, the City’s department of parks and recreation serves the recreation needs of residents. The existing recreation facilities include 12 parks, and the Dozier Recreation Center. The recreation department also provides a variety of programs, aimed at a broad population