Parks and Recreation Board Meeting 12.19.23

Detailed briefing

Parks and Recreation Board Meeting — December 19, 2023 • The board discussed regrouping on capital priorities after Harbor Springs did not receive Michigan DNR grants for the skate park or Kiwanis Park. Staff said the skate-park landscaping will still move forward, with the city aiming to keep costs below $25,000 and seeking donations. Planned work includes grass, a buffer along M-119, and concrete work near the building. • Staff said Harbor Springs scored 145 on the DNR applications, while funded projects reportedly scored 180 to 200. Kiwanis Park’s application was affected because part of the parcel is used for composting rather than solely recreation. Members asked to receive the public scoring sheets so future applications can address weaknesses. • A boardwalk fundraiser was canceled after 16 people signed up. The board discussed taking the east boardwalk section back to City Council and potentially surveying residents before continuing fundraising. Members said public views appear mixed, with concerns including cost and competing needs such as the Wheelway extension. • Three donations have been received for the east boardwalk section, but their disposition is unresolved. Staff said a decision is needed soon because donor acknowledgments and tax-season paperwork are approaching. Options discussed included contacting donors about refunds or retaining funds, but no outcome was stated. • The board will further develop a summer survey on park use and project priorities. Ideas included QR-code signs at parks, township outreach, volunteers collecting responses, and questions on where users live, frequency of use, and desired improvements. Staff said the data is important for seeking more township cost sharing. • Members also discussed broadening recreation programming, including possible youth activities, school and athletic partnerships, high-school volunteers, and sponsorships for families unable to pay fees. Staff said these ideas would require discussion of funding, staffing, registration systems, and facilities. • Staff announced that skate-park rule signs will be posted; a memorial bench was ordered for Indiantown Park; and Zorn Park playground equipment was ordered for spring installation. Farming for a Future was unable to attend and is expected at the February meeting to discuss community-garden experience and possible locations. Worth watching: • Whether City Council supports the east boardwalk section and how the three designated donations are handled. • Whether the planned survey produces sufficient township-use data to support cost-sharing requests. • How the board prioritizes the boardwalk, Wheelway, skate-park work, and other capital projects. Upcoming: The next meeting was identified as January 16; the board plans a fuller discussion of surveys, project priorities, and the capital-improvement list. Why it matters: The board is weighing limited funding across major park projects while seeking clearer evidence of community demand and who uses Harbor Springs facilities.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.