TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 3 2.0 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................... 3 2.1 POPULATION ................................................................................................. 4 2.2 ECONOMY ..................................................................................................... 7 2.3 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ......................................................................... 7 2.4 OTHER CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................. 8 3.0 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE .................................................................................... 10 4.0 RECREATION INVENTORY ........................................................................................... 12 5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING AND PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS ................................ 15 6.0 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................. 15 7.0 RECREATIONAL NEEDS ................................................................................................ 18 8.0 RECREATIONAL PRIORITIES ......................................................................................... 18 9.0 ACTION PROGRAM...................................................................................................... 19 APPENDICES APPENDIX A – WHITEFISH TOWNSHIP SURVEY ............................................................... 23 APPENDIX B – PUBLIC COMMENTS DURING REVIEW PERIOD ......................................... 30 APPENDIX C – MAPS ........................................................................................................ 40 MAP 1 – LOCATION ................................................................................................. 41 MAP 2 – TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................... 42 MAP 3 – LAND USE ................................................................................................. 43 MAP 4 – ELEVATION ............................................................................................... 44 MAP 5 – RECREATION INVENTORY ......................................................................... 45 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION Recreation is defined as the “refreshment of one’s mind or body through activity that amuses or stimulates.” Recreation provides opportunities to enhance the quality of life in a community. Whitefish Township officials realize the importance of maintaining the active and healthy lifestyles of its residents and visitors. The Whitefish Township Recreation Plan is an essential step in the development and well being of Township residents and visitors. 2.0 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION Whitefish Township is located in the Northwest corner of Chippewa County and lies within the area described as T47N, T48N, T49N, and T50N; and R6W and R7W. Map 1 shows the location of Whitefish Township. The Township is roughly twenty‐five miles long (North to South) and twelve miles wide (East to West). Lake Superior borders the township to the North and East, Luce County to the West, and three Chippewa County townships to the South (Hulbert, Chippewa, and Bay Mills Townships). Whitefish Township is remotely located and includes a very scenic and natural setting, making it a prime location for recreation and tourism. Whitefish Township contains approximately 250 square miles of land with roughly forty miles of Lake Superior shoreline. The only population center in the Township is the unincorporated village of Paradise, which is located along the Township’s main route of M‐123. Paradise is a gateway to multiple tourist attractions such as the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the Great Lakes Historical Society’s Shipwreck Museum, and the Whitefish Point Unit - Seney National Wildlife Refuge and Michigan Audubon property. 3 The majority of land within the Village is primarily used for commercial purposes, such as motels and resorts, restaurants, stores, gift shops, gas/convenience stores, and auto/snowmobile repair services. Land outside the Village is heavily forested; major landowners include the State of Michigan, the U.S. Forest Service, and timberland corporations. 2.1 POPULATION The population of Whitefish Township had seen a steady increase the past thirty years until 2010, as seen in Table 2‐1 & Charts 1 & 2. The biggest gain in Township population was seen between 1970 and 1980. At least one dozen families moved into the Township during this time, most opening small businesses (motels, restaurants, etc). During this same time period, Chippewa County saw a ten percent drop in population. Table 2-1 Populations Trends, 1970-2010 1970 % Change 1980 % Change 1990 % Change 2000 % Change 2010 Whitefish Twp 354 33.3 472 9.5 517 13.7 588 -4.7 575 Chippewa Co 32,412 ‐10.4 29,029 19.2 34,604 11.3 38,543 -0.1 38,520 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Chart 1 – Whitefish Township Population Whitefish Township Population 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Whitefish Twp Population 4 Chart 2 -- % Change in Population Comparing Whitefish Township to Chippewa County Trends 40.00 35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010 -5.00 -10.00 -15.00 Whitefish Township Chippewa County Population projections for Whitefish Township are seen in Table 2‐2. It is very important to note that many seasonal homes have been built in the Township within the past twenty‐five years, which leads to a population increase during the summer months, at which time the Township may see a population of 1,000 or more. Table 2-2 Population Projections, 1990‐2025 Year Population 2010 575* 2015 589 2020 619 2025 650 *Source: U.S. Census Bureau The 2008 Projections were based on a healthy projection of a 7% increase over a 5 year period. This chart projects a conservative 2.5% increase in population each 5 years. 5 The population age groups of Whitefish Township are shown in Table 2-3 and Chart 3. Table 2-3 Populations by Age Group, Whitefish Township, 1990-2010 1990 2000 2010 Percent Percent Percent Age Group Number of Twp Number of Twp Number of Twp Under 5 21 4 21 4 15 3 5-19 93 18 75 13 66 11 20-34 85 16 50 9 28 5 35-54 117 23 167 28 162 28 55-74 171 33 217 37 236 41 75 and Older 30 6 58 9 68 12 Totals 517 100 588 100 575 100 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Chart 3 – Whitefish Township Population by Age Group 250 200 150 1990 100 2000 2010 50 0 Under 5 5-19 20-34 35-54 55-74 75 and Older 6 2.2 ECONOMY The economy in Whitefish Township is primarily tourist‐based. With major tourist attractions nearby, the Township depends quite heavily on the tourist traffic that passes through. Tourist and forest related recreational activities (camping, hiking, biking, etc), as well as summer residents, make up the economic base of the township. 2.3 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Climate The climate in Whitefish Township is similar to other townships throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Total snowfall averages 150‐200 inches per year, and annual precipitation yields 30”. Relief from freezing and sub‐freezing temperatures usually lasts four and one‐half months: from mid‐May to October. Transportation (Map 2) The primary route through the Township is state highway M‐123. A system of national forest, state forest, and county roads provides access to and from the township. There is no rail, bus, or air service currently in the Township. 7 Land Use (Map 3) Primary land use throughout the township is residential, with most commercial use around the village of Paradise. Township zoning is in place. Community Services/Facilities The Whitefish Township Fire Department and EMS provide fire and emergency service to the Township. Other Township services include a library, health clinic (Helen Newberry Joy Hospital), credit union, several churches, and a transfer station (which also has recycling available). The Village of Paradise also has a community foundation. Whitefish Township Community Center Whitefish Township Community Library Whitefish Township Emergency Services 8 2.4 OTHER CHARACTERISTICS Township students attend the Whitefish Township Community School, which has a current enrollment of 23 students*. The Whitefish Township Community School provides the only playground facility within the Township. Utilities provided to the Township include telephone, telecommunications, and electricity. No municipal sewer or water system exists. Major lakes in the township include Sheephead, Clark, (Piatt and Johnson, private lakes), Andrus, and the Shelldrake impoundment. Sheephead and Clark do not have vehicle access, but are open to foot traffic. Located in a natural and remote area, Whitefish Township has abundant year‐round fishing opportunities, wildlife, and plant life. Whitefish Point, in the northern tip of the area, is a major flyway and migration point for thousands of birds and waterfowl and encompasses over 50 acres of open public land part of the Whitefish Point Unit - Seney National Wildlife Refuge and Michigan Audubon property. The Audubon Society operates the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory at Whitefish Point, which is visited by bird watchers from all over the world during spring and autumn migrations. *”The state of Michigan has had a 17% decrease in school aged children over the past three years due to the economy. Whitefish Township is no exception. Currently