2012 Parks and 2016 Recreation Plan CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ROYAL OAK OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN ADOPTED MARCH 22, 2012 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ROYAL OAK PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2012-2016 Approved by the Charter Township of Royal Oak Parks and Recreation Commission on March 14, 2012 Adopted by the Charter Township of Royal Oak Board of Trustees on March 22, 2012 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ROYAL OAK PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2012-2016 March 22, 2012 Adopted by the Charter Township of Royal Oak Board of Trustees on March 22, 2012 Prepared By: The Parks Commission of the Charter Township of Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan and 235 East Main Street, Suite 105 Northville, MI 48167 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The participation and cooperation of community leaders, residents, and members of civic organizations in the preparation of the Royal Oak Township Recreation Master Plan is greatly appreciated. In particular, we acknowledge the efforts of the following individuals: Royal Oak Township Board of Trustees William Morgan, Supervisor Gwendolyn W. Turner, Clerk Cynthia Phillips, Treasurer Frank Miles, Trustee David Ford, Trustee Francine Thurman, Trustee Donna Squalls, Trustee Royal Oak Township Parks and Recreation Commissioners Michael Dunlap Sherrie Porties Armond Respress Helen Rollins Belinda Royal Shawn Stewart Bruce Weitherspoon Royal Oak Township Parks and Recreation Department Hiram Harris, Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2012-2016 McKenna Associates Charter Township of Royal Oak, Oakland County Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Cover Title Page Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................ i Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... ii List of Maps ..................................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... iii I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 Description of the Planning Process ....................................................................................... 1 II. COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................... 2 A. Location ........................................................................................................................... 2 B. History ............................................................................................................................. 2 C. Physical Characteristics ................................................................................................... 4 1. Environmental Features ......................................................................................... 4 2. Climate ................................................................................................................... 4 3. Existing Land Use Characteristics and Zoning ........................................................ 4 4. Transportation ........................................................................................................ 4 5. Historic and Cultural Features ................................................................................ 5 D. Implications for Recreation Planning .............................................................................. 6 1. Identification of Persons with Disabilities .............................................................. 6 III. INVENTORY OF RECREATION FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS .............................................. 8 A. Overview ......................................................................................................................... 8 B. Municipal and School Facilities ....................................................................................... 8 C. Private Recreation Facilities .......................................................................................... 13 D. Regional Recreation Resources ..................................................................................... 13 E. Recreation Programs ..................................................................................................... 13 IV. PARKS AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATION ................................................................ 16 A. Administrative Organization ......................................................................................... 16 B. Parks and Recreation Funding....................................................................................... 16 Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2012-2016 McKenna Associates Charter Township of Royal Oak, Oakland County Page ii V. BASIS FOR ACTION PLAN .............................................................................................. 22 A. Summary of Survey, Focus Groups and Public Hearing ................................................ 22 B. Analysis of Existing Facilities and Service Areas ............................................................ 25 C. Recreation Deficiencies ................................................................................................. 31 VI. ACTION PROGRAM: MASTER RECREATION PLAN .......................................................... 33 A. Long Range Goals .......................................................................................................... 33 B. Parks and Recreation Objectives ................................................................................... 34 C. Recreation Priorities ...................................................................................................... 36 D. Action and Capital Improvement Program ................................................................... 36 VII. APPENDIX A. List of MDNR Grants Status B. Copy of Survey Distributed to Residents C. Tabulated Survey Results D. Recreation Center Upgrade Estimates E. Recreation Center Energy Assessment Report (RETAP) F. Affidavit of Publication for 30-Day Comment Period and Parks and Recreation Commission Public Hearing G. Minutes from March 14, 2012 Parks and Recreation Commission Public Hearing H. Resolution of Plan Recommendation by Parks and Recreation Commission on March 14, 2012 I. Minutes from March 22, 2012 Township Board of Trustees Meeting J. Resolution of Plan Adoption by Township Board on March 22, 2012 K. Letters Of Submission To MDNR, Oakland County And SEMCOG LIST OF MAPS Map 1 Township Location & Existing Regional Recreation Facilities ......................................... 3 Map 2 Existing Parks & Recreation Facilities with Service Areas ............................................. 10 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Royal Oak Township Operational Flow Chart ............................................................... 18 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Existing Recreation Facilities Inventory ........................................................................ 11 Table 2 Existing Regional Recreation Facilities .......................................................................... 15 Table 3 Recreation Department Budget .................................................................................... 17 Table 4 Recreation Facilities Evaluation .................................................................................... 26 Table 5 Comparison to Accepted Standards .............................................................................. 27 Table 6 Analysis of Existing Facilities ......................................................................................... 28 Table 7 Capital Improvement Program ...................................................................................... 39 Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2012-2016 McKenna Associates Charter Township of Royal Oak, Oakland County Page iii SECTION I INTRODUCTION DESCRIPTION OF PLANNING PROCESS This analysis is the most recent planning document pertaining to parks and recreation in the Charter Township of Royal Oak. The Royal Oak Township Parks and Recreation Commission is responsible for guiding existing and future conditions of parks and recreation facilities and programs for Township residents. The previous Master Recreation Plan was prepared by the Royal Oak Township Parks and Recreation Commission and the Charter Township of Royal Oak Board of Trustees with assistance from McKenna Associates, a planning consulting firm with expertise in parks planning. The plan was submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and approved in 1997. The Township’s Master Plan was updated in 2008. Through the planning workshops and public hearings, the need to develop an approved Parks and Recreation Master Plan was identified. In November 2011, the Township’s Park Commissioners Board authorized the development of a five year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The 2012-2016 Recreation Master Plan was prepared with the assistance of McKenna Associates, a planning consulting firm located in Northville, and with the active involvement of the Township, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Parks and Recreation Director. Citizen