CLEARWATER TOWNSHIP KALKASKA COUNTY, MICHIGAN CLEARWATER TOWNSHIP FIVE-YEAR PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2015-2020 ADOPTED BY THE CLEARWATER TOWNSHIP BOARD SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 5 Location Map #1 ...................................................................................................... 7 Location Map #2 ...................................................................................................... 8 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION............................................................................................................. 9 Social Characteristics ................................................................................................................. 9 (A). Permanent Population and Population Trends ......................................................... 9 (B). Vacation Population and Weekend Transient Visitors ............................................ 10 (C). Households and Household Income ........................................................................ 10 (D). Senior Citizens.......................................................................................................... 11 (E). Persons with Disabilities .......................................................................................... 12 (F). Educational Attainments of Clearwater Township Residents ................................. 12 (G). Employment and Employment Trends .................................................................... 13 (H). Occupations of Clearwater Township Residents ..................................................... 13 (I). Rapid City Elementary School .................................................................................. 14 Physical Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 15 (A). Land Use Patterns .................................................................................................... 15 Land Use / Land Cover Map ..................................................................................... 16 Updated Gas Wells Map ........................................................................................... 17 DNR-Owned Land in Kalkaska County ...................................................................... 18 (B). Topography and Scenic Views ................................................................................. 19 Topography and Scenic Views Map ......................................................................... 20 (C). Zoning ...................................................................................................................... 21 Zoning Districts Map ................................................................................................ 22 Composite Wetlands Map ........................................................................................ 25 (D). Water, Fish and Wildlife Resources ......................................................................... 26 (E). Soils and Vegetation ................................................................................................ 27 (F). Transportation Systems ........................................................................................... 28 (G). Climate ..................................................................................................................... 29 (H). Environmental Issues ............................................................................................... 29 2 COMMUNITY ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE ................................................................................ 30 (A). Current Clearwater Township Budgets ................................................................... 30 General Fund Budgets .............................................................................................. 31 Public Improvement Fund Budget ........................................................................... 35 Fire Fund Budget ...................................................................................................... 36 (B). Township Government Organization and Staff Descriptions .................................. 38 (C). Role of Parks & Recreation Committee ................................................................... 41 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS ................................................................................... 42 (A). Plan Development Process ...................................................................................... 42 (B). Key Persons .............................................................................................................. 42 (C). Public Involvement and Input Process .................................................................... 43 CURRENT RECREATION INVENTORY .............................................................................................. 43 (A). Recreation Opportunities in Clearwater Township ................................................. 43 Current Public Recreation Facilities ......................................................................... 44 (1) Torch Lake ............................................................................................................. 45 (2) Torch River ............................................................................................................ 45 (3) Rapid River............................................................................................................. 46 (4) Skegemog Lake ...................................................................................................... 46 (5) Pere Marquette State Forest................................................................................. 47 (6) Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area ................................................................................ 47 Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area Map ........................................................................ 48 (7) Rapid City Elementary School ............................................................................... 49 (8) The Seven Bridges ................................................................................................. 49 The Seven Bridges Map ......................................................................................... 50 (9) Water Access Points to Lakes and Rivers .............................................................. 51 (10) DNR Boat Launch ................................................................................................... 51 DNR Boat Launch Congestion ................................................................................ 52 (11) Freedom Park West ............................................................................................... 52 (12) Freedom Park East................................................................................................. 53 (13) Heritage Park Recreational Complex .................................................................... 53 (14) Birch Street Park .................................................................................................... 53 (15) Township Hall and Community Center ................................................................. 53 3 (16) Cedar Street Park .................................................................................................. 54 (17) The Old Iron Bridge ............................................................................................... 54 (18) Michigan Heritage Foundation .............................................................................. 55 (B). Recreation Opportunities Outside Clearwater Township ....................................... 55 (C). Clearwater Township Barrier-Free Compliance ...................................................... 57 ACTION PROGRAM ........................................................................................................................ 58 (A). Rationale .................................................................................................................. 57 (B). Details of Action Program ........................................................................................ 58 (1) Heritage Park Recreational Complex .................................................................... 58 Heritage Park Site Plan .......................................................................................... 60 Heritage Park Location Map .................................................................................. 61 (2) Freedom Park West ............................................................................................... 62 (3) Freedom Park East................................................................................................. 62 (4) Community Center ................................................................................................ 62 (5) Rapid City Elementary School ............................................................................... 62 (6) School-owned 40 Acres ......................................................................................... 62 (7) Birch Street Park .................................................................................................... 63 (8) Improved Rapid River Access Point at Aarwood Road Bridge .............................. 63 (9)