Four public meetings and a comprehensive on-line survey of area residents told the authors of the updated Barry County Parks and Recreation’s Master Plan what the people wanted most in recreation in the county.
The five-year plan, which took more than a year to create, is required by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service to obtain recreation grants for the county.
Charlton Park Director Dan Patton and Parks and Recreation Board Administrator Ron Weldon asked the county commissioners to set a public hearing at their Feb. 26 meeting, to be followed by approval of the plan.
The survey had good participation with more than 350 responses, which is very high for a survey, Welton said. The survey will be on the Barry County website, www.barrycounty.org for another week, Patton said.
The things people listed as most important to them in recreation had a heavy emphasis on enjoying the outdoors, as shown by the top five items, all with more than 100 “likes.” In order: walking trails, natural areas, wildlife viewing, canoeing/kayaking, and biking trails.
The second tier of five most popular activities to expand includes campground/camping, swimming and picnic facilities, each with 80 “votes,” dog walking areas and playgrounds.
Of less importance to survey takers were with the bottom five (leaving out “other” at 18 votes), football fields, skateboard park, basketball courts, sand volleyball and tennis and pickle ball courts tied with 25 votes each.
The 27-page plan has an introduction, community description, administrative structure, recreation inventory, planning and input process, needs assessment, goals and objectives, action program and capital improvement schedule, local adoption and certification plan and appendix.
During public comment Tuesday, Doris Hale, two-year member of the Charlton Park Board, resigned the position with a year left in her term, saying she “appreciated working under the able leadership of Sharon Zebrowski” and appreciated the contributions of all board members.
Hale said as a member of the recommendation committee, she was disappointed to see the county commission put aside the committee’s recommendation for Zebrowski to continue on the board and appoint another. Their time and thoughtful efforts should have been considered, especially since they are a governing board, not advisory, she told commissioners.
“I appreciate the work of the current board leadership. However, the focus seems to me to have moved in the direction of facilities without the same focus on the overall park. Facilities is an area in which I frankly have less to offer.
“As such, I am resigning from the board that another may take my place. Of course I will continue to support Charlton Park in every way and wish you all the very best,” she said.
