Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County, Michigan
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Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County, Michigan 5-Year Park & Recreation Plan 2014 - 2018 Prepared by Offices in Michigan & Indiana 2960 Lucerne Drive SE, Grand rapids, MI 49546 Phone: 616.977.1000 Fax: 616.977.1005 Draft – February 2014 PREPARED FOR Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Acknowledgments The participation and cooperation of community leaders, residents and members of civic organizations in the preparation of the 2014 Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Joint Parks and Recreation Master Plan is greatly appreciated. In particular, we acknowledge the efforts of the following individuals: Village Council Township Board Glenn Gilbert, President Dale Hermenet, Trustee Dan Erskine, Trustee Donald Koopmans, Trustee Todd Grinage, Trustee Richard Snoeyink, Trustee Karen Hahn, Trustee Kelly Cavanauagh, Trustee Elizabeth Fanco, Trustee Richard Robertson, Treasurer Danise Regan Trustee Jennifer Christian, Clerk Gary Scholl, Trustee Bryan Harrison, Supervisor Julie Wangerin, Treasurer Sandy Ayers, Clerk/Manager Village/Township Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Sandy Ayers, Co-Chairperson Bryan Harrison, Co-Chairperson TABLE OF CONTENTS A. COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION Page 1. Introduction 1-2 2. Social Characteristics 3 Area Population 3 Median Age 3 Average Household size 3 Income, Poverty and Employment 4 Physically Challenged 4 3. Physical Characteristics 5 Location & Transportation Network 5 Climate 6 Water Resources & Drainage 6 Wetlands 7-8 Topography & Landforms 9 Soils 10 Woodlands 11 Utilities 11 Land Use 11-12 B. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE 13 C. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS 14 D. RECREATION INVENTORY 15-33 State, County Regional Facilities 15-26 Local Facilities 27 School Facilities 28 Private Recreational Facilities 28-30 Barrier Free Evaluation 30-31 Programs 31-32 Recreational Programs & Past Grant Status 32 Park and Recreation Inventory Spreadsheet 33 E. ACTION PROG RAM, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULE (CIS), AND 34-43 RATIONALE Goals & Objectives 34-37 Recommended Actions / Rationale 38-39 Capital Improvements Schedule 39 Financing Mechanisms 40-43 F. APPENDIX • Resolution of Plan Adoption • Transmittal of Plan to County and Regional Planning Agencies • Public Notices / Articles, Public Review of Draft Recreation Plan • Meeting minutes • Recreation Plan Amendment Form Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Joint Park & Recreation Plan 2014-2018 Section A - Community Description In its continuing effort to provide quality recreational opportunities for its citizens, the Village and Charter Township of Caledonia (Caledonia) created the 2014-2018 Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Joint Five Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan as a tool to guide the development of the Village and the Township-maintained recreational facilities and locations over the next five years. This joint Plan is an effort by both the Village and Township to establish recreational goals and objectives for the community that will focus on land acquisition and development over the next five years, and is another example of a long established relationship of cooperation and sharing resources. The 2014-18 Plan will also make Caledonia eligible for grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to assist in reaching its recreational goals. The jurisdiction of this plan is solely for the Village of Caledonia and the Charter Township of Caledonia, and focuses on all aspects of park recreation and programming. Both these communities are referenced within the Kent County Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Caledonia Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (Committee) consists of residents from the Village and Township concerned with providing a wide array of quality recreational opportunities. The Committee has been fundamental in providing information about the community and guidance for the direction of the recreation plan throughout the planning process. Public input from residents and the Committee members provided a clear picture of which recreation facilities and programs are needed and desired by the public. The final Parks and Recreation Master Plan reflects which improvements to existing County and State facilities will best address the needs and desires of Caledonia. However, since neither entity owns developed park land at this moment, relationships will be necessary to create recreational and programming opportunities. A. Regional Location The Village of Caledonia is located within Caledonia Township, which is located in Kent County, Michigan on M-37 in the southeast part of the Township. The Township is situated about 15 miles southeast of downtown Grand Rapids. The City of Kentwood is directly northwest, Cascade Charter Township is to the north, Bowne Township to the east, Gaines Charter Township to the west, and Thornapple Township in Barry County to the south. With M-37 traversing the Township this community has a close proximity to 1-96 and M-6 runs through northwest corner of the Township. Caledonia serves as a commuter community to Grand Rapids. Caledonia Township has very few other opportunities for transportation other than the private vehicle on the public road. Railroad and airport access are readily available with an international airport being 2 miles to the north, but no other forms of transportation or public transit exist. Location Map 1 Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Joint Park & Recreation Plan 2014-2018 The abandoned Penn Central railroad bed crosses the Township at the angle beginning just north of 84 th Street through the Village, and south to 108th Street between Alaska Avenue and Cherry Valley. This rail bed is part of the Thornapple Rails to Trails project which, when completed, will connect the City of Kentwood to northern Barry County. A portion of this trail has already been paved. This project will offer a much-needed recreational opportunity for the residents of Caledonia Township, both in terms of the trail itself and of connecting this project to future recreational facilities. Paul Henry Thornapple River Trail 2 Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Joint Park & Recreation Plan 2014-2018 Part 2 – Social Characteristics Population The population of the area grew by 3,368 persons between 2000 and 2010, or 37%. This primary factor in this growth was the development of the M-6 South Beltline and improved vehicular access to the area. Table 2-1 Caledonia Area Population, 1990-2010 1990 2000 2010 % Change 2000-2010 Village 885 1,102 1,511 37% Township 5,369 7,862 10,821 37% Combined 6,254 8,964 12,332 37% Source: U.S. Bureau of Census This trend may likely continue as more people move farther from Grand Rapids. One of the draws to the area is its rural and small town setting that the Township and Village offer along with the close proximity to the Grand Rapids area . Median Age The age of Township residents serves as an indicator of economic, transportation, recreational and other community needs. The median age for Caledonia Township residents was 37.8 in 2010 and 30.7 for village residents. This is lower than the median age for Michigan of 39 years. The median age of the Village is significantly lower than the state average. Table 2-2 Median Age in Caledonia Area, 1990-2010 1990 2000 2010 Village 32.6 32 30.7 Township 32.4 35 37.8 Michigan 32.6 35.5 39 Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 The size of families in area is higher than the average for the State of Michigan. The area’s predominant age group is the 25-54 family forming class. This group, with larger household sizes, can have a significant impact on the need for community services such as schools, fire response, police and community centers. Not surprisingly the next largest age group is the school age classification Table 2-3 Average Household Sizes in Caledonia Area, 2000-2010 2000 2010 % Change 1990-2000 Village 2.56 2.86 11% Township 2.91 2.80 -3% Michigan 2.56 2.45 -7% Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 3 Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Joint Park & Recreation Plan 2014-2018 Income, Poverty and Employment The median household income for the township in 2010 was $77,948, 35% higher than Kent County ($ 51,030 ) and 37% higher than the State of Michigan ($ 48,471 ). Physically Challenged The disability status of a population may be especially significant when considering recreational needs for a community. With over 30% of the total areas population in the over 65 age group that is affected by some form of disability, these individuals may have difficulty participating in recreational programs, accessing facilities or even getting to designated public areas. Understanding the disability status of area’s population may assist decision-makers in determining adequate programs and appropriate locations for recreational activities. With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), all areas of public service and accommodation became subject to barrier-free requirements, including parks and recreation facilities and programs. Table 2-4 Disability status of the civilian non-0isntutionalized population Village Township Total % of total population With a disability 100 988 1,088 8% Under 18 years 13 148 161 3.9% 18 to 64 Years 51 445 496 6.2% Over 65 years 36 385 421 30.5% Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000 4 Village and Charter Township of Caledonia Joint Park & Recreation Plan 2014-2018 Part 3 - Physical Characteristics Location & Transportation Network Freeways are a street classification for primarily federal highways which are part of the Interstate Transportation System. This classification of roads is intended to serve high speed traffic with strict limitations on access, which may only occur at highway interchange locations. Although a freeway, the Paul Henry Freeway falls instead under a state highway designation, M-6. Caledonia Township has a major interchange with M-6 at M-37 . State Routes includes major highways under state jurisdiction, serving trips between communities and other major activity centers throughout a region. Roadways of this type are designed to provide the highest level of traffic mobility, usually traveling at speeds of 55 miles per hour (mph) (non- interstate).