Parks and Recreation Board Meeting - 2026-07-14

Summary

The Harbor Springs Parks and Recreation Board meeting on July 14, 2026, addressed multiple issues including maintenance and safety concerns at city beaches and parks, particularly the city beach bathrooms and lifeguard facilities. The board discussed ongoing problems with electrical hazards, cleanliness, and permit compliance related to recent bathroom renovations. Public comments highlighted dissatisfaction with current maintenance and staffing levels. The board considered a proposed ordinance to allow police to exclude individuals causing harassment in public parks, aiming to improve safety, especially for children. Updates on park events, programming, and community engagement efforts were shared. The board also discussed the placement of a commemorative rock in Child's Park and reviewed data on park usage to inform master planning. Staffing shortages and coordination challenges between city departments were noted as impacting park maintenance and operations. The Kiwanis building project was also discussed, with concerns about structural integrity and plans to proceed cautiously. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of board member resignations and plans for future agenda items.

• Contact the health department to improve communication and testing protocols for beach water qualityOpen

• Conduct an after-action review of the bathroom renovation project to identify failures and hold contractors accountableOpen

• Continue legal review and coordination with police to finalize and implement the harassment exclusion ordinanceOpen

• Distribute and schedule social media polls to gather community feedback on parks and events, with adjustments to form...Open

• Reach out to the family who donated the commemorative rock to discuss relocating it near the new Japanese maple tree...Open

• Prepare informational materials for community engagement related to the master plan, targeting events like Fall Fest...Open

• Assess staffing needs and resource allocation for parks and public works to improve maintenance and operationsOpen

• Monitor progress on the Kiwanis building project to ensure proper contracting and avoid past renovation issuesOpen

• Add a safety checklist for all parks as part of the master plan and future maintenance protocolsOpen

• Include event type definitions and review event policies at the next board meetingOpen

• Add board member resignation to official records and begin recruitment for replacementOpen