2020-2024 Parks and Recreation Master Plan CITY OF WESTLAND, MICHIGAN Parks and Recreation Master Plan for 2020–2024 City of Westland, Michigan Adopted January 6, 2020 Prepared with the assistance of McKenna Community Planning and Design 235 East Main Street, Suite 105 · Northville, MI 48167 (248) 596-0920 · www.mcka.com Acknowledgments This five-year vision and action plan for the future of Westland’s parks and recreation environment was made possible through the valuable contributions of hundreds of community leaders, residents, and members of civic organizations. Your commitment to the wellbeing of Westland residents and visitors to the park system is greatly appreciated. In particular, we acknowledge the efforts of the following groups and individuals: CITY COUNCIL William R. Wild, Mayor James Hart, Council President Michael Londeau, Council President Pro Tem James Godbout Tasha Green James Hart Peter Herzberg Mike McDermott Andrea Rutkowski PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL John Albrecht Angela Anderson Sheree Conn Delano Hornbuckle Julie Slabaugh Jessica West PARTICIPATING BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND GROUPS City of Westland Commission on Aging City of Westland Disability Concerns Board City of Westland Youth Advisory Board Sports Leage Representatives and Recreation Providers Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2020 - 2024 Page i Westland, Michigan Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Description of Planning Process .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Community Description ...................................................................................................................... 5 Location ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 History ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Physical Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Environmental Features ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Climate .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Existing Land Use and Characteristics ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Transportation ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Historic and Cultural Features ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 Planning for a Multitude of Needs ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Identification of Persons with Disabilities ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Case study: Inclusive Play ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Pertinent Characteristics of Westland’s Population ......................................................................................................................... 14 Inventory of Recreation Facilities and Programs .......................................................................... 15 Overview ................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Municipal and School Facilities .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Private Recreation Facilities ................................................................................................................................................... 18 Regional Recreation Resources ............................................................................................................................................. 18 Recreation Programs .............................................................................................................................................................. 21 Parks and Recreation Administration ............................................................................................ 31 Administrative Organization .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Parks and Recreation Funding ............................................................................................................................................... 33 Basis for Action Plan ....................................................................................................................... 37 Summary of Public Engagement and Public Hearing ......................................................................................................... 39 Open Houses ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 39 Online and Hard Copy Survey ............................................................................................................................................................... 39 Roundtable Discussions ........................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Public Hearing ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 40 Analysis of Existing Facilities and Service Areas ................................................................................................................. 41 Recreation Deficiencies .......................................................................................................................................................... 41 Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2020 - 2024 Page ii Westland, Michigan Reliance on School Sites .......................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Accessibility and universal design .......................................................................................................................................................... 42 Program and Facility Deficiencies .......................................................................................................................................................... 43 Action Program: Master Recreation Plan ...................................................................................... 49 Long-Range Goals .................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Parks and Recreation Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 53 Recreation Priorities ............................................................................................................................................................... 54 Action and Capital Improvement Program ......................................................................................................................... 56 Appendix ........................................................................................................................................... 59 References ................................................................................................................................................................................. 62 Planning Consultant ................................................................................................................................................................. 63 List of Tables Table 1: Existing Regional Recreation Facilities within 30 Miles of the City of Westland .............................................................. 19 Table 2: Parks Inventory ................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Table 3: City of Westland Parks and Recreation Department