Parks and Recreation Board 3.21.23

Detailed briefing

Parks and Recreation Board — March 21, 2023 ATTENDEES: Richard Sparthout, Francois Donnelly, Ann Cox, Jenna Mulder, Scott Reese, Alice Maxson, and Sarah Payne. • The board reviewed final preparations for the April 8 Easter egg hunt at Upper Zorn Park. Community volunteers, including the Friendship Center, Harbor Springs High School Key Club, and Nancy Rondell, had filled more than 1,000 eggs, and organizers were aiming for more than 2,000. The event starts promptly at 11 a.m.; volunteers were asked to arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. • Organizers will divide the hunt by age, with a special set of eggs for younger children that excludes gum and hard candy. Because some volunteer-filled eggs may contain peanut-butter products, an allergy caution will be announced. Staff also plan to keep some eggs aside for children who arrive late, coordinate a road closure with DPW and police, promote the event through schools and social media, and order additional reusable-style bags. • Staff said City Council had held public hearings and passed resolutions for skate park and Kiwanis Park grant applications. No public comments were reported for the skate park hearing; comments on the Kiwanis project were described as positive. Applications are to be submitted before April 1. Results are anticipated in October for the skate park grant and December for the Kiwanis grant. • Park-visit discussions emphasized expanded bike parking at Marina Park and the Zorn parks, reflecting increased bicycle and e-bike traffic. Other Marina Park items included a leaking game box, paint touch-ups, lawn and flower-bed work, replacement game supplies, possible e-bike charging or repair amenities, and longer-range pedestrian connections and parking/infrastructure issues. • Members generally favored keeping Upper Zorn as flexible open space for events and fitness use. At Lower Zorn, discussion included a game box, checkerboard tables, additional cornhole equipment, beach toys, bike racks, sand and erosion concerns, exposed pipes, grass repair, and the safety railing near the water. • The board took no vote on a proposed donated Zorn Park playground. Discussion focused on location, safety near water and rocks, proximity to parking and utilities, tree roots, ADA access, surfacing, equipment for younger children, and whether the proposed footprint fits the park. Some speakers supported collaboration with the donors; others urged retaining more open green space. Worth watching: • Staff will review playground options, public input, equipment details, and potential approvals before taking a plan to City Council. • Grant applications must be completed and submitted before April 1. • Easter egg hunt staffing, supplies, weather planning, and outreach remain in progress. Upcoming: Easter egg hunt, April 8, with an 11 a.m. start at Upper Zorn Park. Why it matters: The board is balancing near-term family programming and park upkeep with major decisions about grant-funded improvements and the future use of downtown waterfront green space.

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