Parks and Recreation Board 6.20.23

Detailed briefing

Parks and Recreation Board — June 20, 2023 ATTENDEES: Richard Forthout, Karen, Dan Wilder, Elton Martha, Don Samson; Don Cutts was absent. • The board approved the previous meeting minutes. Members then reviewed Washington Street and Glen Drive public-access sites. They discussed whether small, uniform signs could help visitors find the sites while reducing people searching near neighboring homes. No final vote or final sign design was recorded. At Glen Drive, members suggested identifying the path boundaries more clearly and noting the lack of meaningful parking. • At Washington Street access, members raised pruning needs near parking spaces, uneven grass/dirt conditions, and the appearance of a concrete wall. A proposed dock or ramp was not supported in discussion because it could encourage kayak launching and create parking and unloading problems. At Glen Drive, suggestions included a bike rack, a more secure bench installation, and cleanup of fallen trees if within city property. • The board reviewed Shea Overlook and Tuttle Corner. Suggestions at Shea included removing or cleaning the grill near a neighboring home, improving grass and tree maintenance, considering a trash can if the picnic table remains, and possibly clarifying the site name. Members described Tuttle Corner as a small memorial-style site and noted a small concrete hole that could be patched. • Staff said the boardwalk should be officially complete and reviewed by the county around mid-July, while the overlook was hoped to be complete by July 4. The board discussed a modest, community-oriented reopening event with food, possible music, donor recognition, and a ribbon cutting rather than a brief formal ceremony alone. Thursday, July 20 was mentioned as a working date, not a confirmed event date. • Fundraising totals reported were about $506,000 for the boardwalk and about $400,000 for the skate park. Staff reported recent $50,000 boardwalk and $50,000 skate park donations. The skate park remained on a September timeline, with designs expected to come to the board for review. • Staff reported that the county agreed to an easement for a Little Traverse Wheelway extension through the Bay Bluffs/ball-field area toward M-119, allowing route planning and fundraising to move forward. The Parks Passport brochure was in edits, yoga at Shea Park was drawing growing attendance, and a Heart and Soul food truck was announced for June 22-24, June 30, July 1, and July 2. Worth watching: • Whether small shoreline-access signs and path markers are adopted, and how parking and neighbor concerns are addressed. • Confirmation of boardwalk reopening logistics after county review. • Whether the Zorn Park playground donor group confirms funding for the revised 2024 design. Upcoming: Boardwalk county review was expected in mid-July; the possible reopening event was discussed for the week of July 17-21; Heart and Soul food truck dates begin June 22. Why it matters: The board is balancing public access, neighborhood impacts, infrastructure upkeep, and donor-supported recreation investments.

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