City of East Tawas Parks & Recreation Master Plan Adopted February 5, 2018 Cover image source: Darian Rawson, Flickr.com ACKNOWLEDGMENTS City Council ............................................................................................ Bruce Bolen, Mayor Lisa Bolen David Leslie Stephen Klenow Duane Look Craig McMurray Michael Mooney Park Board .............................................................................................. Mark Elliott, Chairman John O’Connor, Vice-Chairman Norm Klenow David Thunberg Sue Fountain Craig McMurray, Council Representative City Staff .................................................................................................. Blinda Baker, City Manager Julie Potts, Clerk/Treasurer Stephanie Loew, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Keith Frank, Parks and Recreation Manager Henry Proper, Parks and Recreation Maintenance Thomas Seigo, Parks and Recreation Technician Assisted by: Carlisle | Wortman ASSOCIATES, INC. City of East Tawas - 2018-2022 Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Table of Contents Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................1 What this Plan Contains .........................................................................................1 Planning Process .......................................................................................................1 Description of the Planning Area .......................................................................2 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................3 Population, Households, & Housing Units ......................................................3 Socio-Economic Characteristics ..........................................................................7 Natural Features ........................................................................................................8 Review of State Regulations ...............................................................................17 Related Planning Initiatives ................................................................................18 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE .....................................................................22 Administration .........................................................................................................22 Funding & Budget ..................................................................................................23 Volunteers & Partnerships ...................................................................................24 RECREATION INVENTORY ..................................................................................26 Local Parks & Recreation Facilities ....................................................................26 School & Other Recreation Facilities ................................................................33 Regional Park Facilities .........................................................................................34 Accessibility Assessment & Grant-Assisted Projects ..................................39 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT ........................41 Park Acreage Comparison ...................................................................................41 County, State, & National Recreation Trends ...............................................42 Public Input ..............................................................................................................43 Park Maintenance & Development Needs.....................................................44 Public Review & Public Hearing .........................................................................44 GOALS & OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................46 Goals ............................................................................................................................46 Objectives .................................................................................................................46 Page ii City of East Tawas - 2018-2022 Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Table of Contents ACTION PROGRAM ...................................................................................................48 Action Plan ...............................................................................................................48 Project Schedule .....................................................................................................58 Implementation Strategies .................................................................................61 FIGURES 1. Context Map .......................................................................................................2 2. East Tawas & Iosco County Population Trends ....................................... 4 3. Median Age Trends ..........................................................................................5 4. East Tawas Age Comparison ......................................................................... 5 5. East Tawas Age Breakdown ...........................................................................5 6. FEMA Floodplain Boundaries .....................................................................11 7. Iron Belle Trail Preliminary Alignment .....................................................19 8. Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail ..................................................................20 9. City Park ADA Compliant Restroom Facilities .......................................30 10. City Park Proposed Camper Cottages .....................................................30 TABLES 1. East Tawas Population & Household Data 1990 - 2045 .......................3 2. Regional Populations 1970 - 2015 ..............................................................4 3. Median Age .........................................................................................................5 4. Housing Tenure 2000 - 2015 .........................................................................6 5. Household Projections 2000 - 2040 ...........................................................6 6. Educational Achievement .............................................................................7 7. Median Income & Poverty Levels ................................................................7 8. East Tawas Soil Makeup ................................................................................15 9. Parks & Recreation Budget Summary ......................................................23 10. Regional Park & Trail Amenities .................................................................35 11. Accessibility Assessment .............................................................................38 12. Grant History ....................................................................................................39 13. Comparison to NRPA Suggested Parkland Standards .......................40 14. National Sports Participation .....................................................................41 15. Top 10 Outdoor Recreation Activities in Michigan .............................41 16. Park Maintenance & Development Needs .............................................44 17. Project Schedule .............................................................................................58 City of East Tawas - 2018-2022 Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Table of Contents Page iii MAPS 1. Existing Land Use ..............................................................................................9 2. Natural Features ..............................................................................................10 3. Soil Map .............................................................................................................16 4. Parks & Community Facilities .....................................................................28 5. East Tawas Local Trail Facilities ...................................................................31 6. Regional Park & Trail Facilities ....................................................................34 7. Bolen Park Action Plan ..................................................................................49 8. Dillon Park Action Plan .................................................................................51 9. Durant Park Action Plan ...............................................................................53 10. City Park Action Plan .....................................................................................54 11. Citywide Walk / Bike Pathway System Action Plan .............................57 APPENDICES A. Notices of Draft Plan Availability & Public Hearing ............................65 B. Parks Board Resolution .................................................................................67 C. Minutes of Public Hearing ...........................................................................69 D. City Council Resolution ................................................................................73 E. Letters of Transmittal .....................................................................................75 F. Public Input Summary ..................................................................................79 Page iv City of East Tawas - 2018-2022 Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Table of Contents INTRODUCTION The East Tawas Parks and Recreation Master Plan articulates a vision for parks and recreation in East