City Of Marysville Re c re a t i o n P l a n 2017 - 2021

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Contents Community Description • • • • • •

Introduction Geographic Location History Population Trends and Demographics Environment and Land-Use Transportation & Access

Administrative Structure • • • • • • • • • • •

Director of Public Services Community Development Director / Assistant City Manager Superintendent of Golf Recreation Coordinator Board of Recreation Volunteers Beautification Commission Recreation Programs Community Partnerships Marysville Public Schools Budget and Finance

Recreation Inventory •

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Recreation Inventory & Recommendations • City Park • Morton Park • Mermaid Park • Huron Park • Veterans Memorial Park • Living Shoreline / Boardwalk • Chrysler Beach • Marysville Golf Course • Washington Park • 4th Street and Superior Park • Delaware Park • 6th and New Hampshire Ave • Connecticut Park • Ravenswood Road Park • Facility Analysis and Deficiencies • Post-Completion Self-Certification Report

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Planning and Public Input Process

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Goals and Objectives

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Background Studies Public Input Process Focus Group Meeting & Independent Feedback Public Input Survey Public Hearing Adoption Stakeholder Input Online Survey Visioning Session

Basis for Action Michigan Recreation and Park Association Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2013- 2017 City of Marysville 2014 Comprehensive Master Plan St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Plan 2012 - 2016 The Ralph Wilson Grant Goals, Guidelines, and Tasks Park - Recreation Improvement Goals Non-Motorized Improvements - Recreation Improvement Goals Capital Improvement Priorities

Appendices • • • • • • • • • • • •

A - Port Huron, Mi Urbanized Boundary B - Marysville Recreation Programs C - Bridge to Bay Trail - Local Level D - Bridge to Bay Trail - Regional Connections E - Bridget to Bay Trail - Regional Overview F - Associated Regional Trails G - Wadhams to Avoca Trail H - Marysville Potential Wetland Restoration I - Marysville Hydrology J - Public Survey Responses K - Board of Recreation Workshop "Homework" #2 L - Board of Recreation Workshop "Homework" #1

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Acknowledgments

The Marysville Board of Recreation Administration

Stef DeNardin, Recreation Coordinator Randy Fernandez, City Manager

Marysville Resident Survey Participants

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Community Description Introduction

The City of Marysville Five-Year Recreation Master Plan (2017 - 2021) was prepared and adopted by the Department of Recreation and the Board of Recreation to serve as a roadmap when making decisions regarding recreational programming and facilities. The creation of the Plan is intended to characterize and communicate the existing recreation system and serve as an implementation guide of physical and programmatic improvements needed to strengthen and grow the recreation system within the City. The Plan provides an inventory of existing facilities and programs within Marysville as well as an evaluation of opportunities, needs, and constraints. The Plan builds on previous planning efforts, empowers future planning and existing initiatives, and responds to community feedback. The Plan presents goals, guidelines, and a five-year action plan for the Marysville recreation system. The jurisdiction of the Recreation Master Plan includes City-owned and operated recreation facilities and programs, as well as supporting documentation of school properties. The Plan is also intended to aid and enable the City to apply for funding assistance from various organizations and agencies, and work towards implementing the recommendations outlined in this document. The Recreation Master Plan provides for five years of eligibility for grant funding with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). This Plan is an update of the 4

2012 Recreation Master Plan.

Geographic Location

The City of Marysville is located in southeastern Michigan in the far eastern part of St. Clair County and is 6.9 square miles in size. Marysville is bordered by the St. Clair River and Canada to the east; the City of Port Huron to the north; St. Clair Township to the south and Kimball Township to the west. The City is highly connected to both regional, statewide, and international destinations: St. Clair County International Airport is less than two miles west; US 94, a quarter mile west of Marysville, links the City to Mount Clemens and Detroit, the largest city in the state; US 69 connects Marysville to the state capital of Lansing and Michigan’s second largest city, Grand Rapids; and is just 20 minutes from Lake Huron. Marysville is part of the Port Huron Urbanized Area which extends from the Village of Lexington south along the shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, ending just north of the City of Algonac. See Appendix A.

rich pine forests supported the industrial lumber market and sawmills were located along Carleton Creek, Bunce Creek, and Mud Creek, providing power to the numerous mill operations within Marysville. By the late 1800’s, the region’s pine forests had been depleted, and by the early 1900’s a small shipbuilding industry had already come and gone within a fifty year timespan. After a twenty year lull, the City of Marysville experienced an economic resurgence that centered on the burgeoning automobile industry and the City became home to several car manufacturers and automobile parts makers. It was during this period, in 1919, that the municipality became a village and was incorporated as a city in 1924. From the 19th century through the 21st century, Marysville’s economy continued to develop and diversify with its industrial core based in the automobile parts industry. Today, the City is also home to manufacturers of tape and package-sealing materials; makers of polyethylene foam products; a propane and butane storage facility and; producers of ethanol.

History

Marysville has an iconic history that reflects the great economic and technological changes that grew out of this region and heavily influenced on the nation’s economy. The City of Marysville was a trading post for Native Americans and trappers, a regional post office, boasted a number of successful sawmills, and served as a port-of-call for passenger ships traveling between Chicago and Detroit. The origins of the City began in the 18th century as the timber industry was profitable and many moved to the area for work. The area’s

LEFT: Old DTE Plant

RIGHT: Location of today's Morton Park. Credit: City of Marysville

Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

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Community Description Population Trends & Demographics

Recognizing and understanding demographic trends and characteristics is critical for planning improvements and developing new projects within the City recreation system. Tailoring facility upgrades and growing recreational programming to the existing and evolving population of Marysville ensures that the park system is cared for, well-used, accessible, and enhances quality of life for residents and visitors. From 2010 - 2016 the population of Marysville remained almost unchanged, but is projected to add almost 700 people by 204o. The City’s population experienced an increase of 275 people between 2000 - 2010, and documented a population of 9,939 in 2016. A small, but steady growth rate is expected between 2010 - 2040 and serves as an indicator that the City will might need to continue to improve their recreation system if growth within the population increases. See Figures 1, 2, and 3. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the median age is 43 and those between 35 - 59 are the largest age category within Marysville. Those between the ages of 5 - 17 follow behind at only half the size of those in the leading cohort. Although the population for those between 5 - 17 years of age won’t see significant change between 2010 and 2040, the 35 - 59 age group is projected to drop by almost 300 people while those who are 75 years or older will have a population increase of more than 850 people. This data suggests that Marysville’s youth population will stay relatively unchanged over the next thirty years, but the City’s overall population is projected to grow increasingly 6

older. As Marysville’s senior population continues to grow the number of youth will generally stay the same, suggesting that any planned recreational projects, facility improvements or programming should seek to accommodate and support these demographics in the years to come. Today, the average size of household is 2.39, but is expected to increase to 2.49 by 2040. Household size is an important factor when making recreation facility and program decisions. A household, as defined by the US Census, is all persons who occupy the same housing unit. A high person per household figure can be an indication that an area is comprised of families with children and thus could justify family or youth oriented recreation facilities. Conversely, an area with a low person per household figure may require recreation facilities more favorable to singles, adults or elderly. Another consideration for understanding recreation needs is household type. As of 2010, SEMCOG recorded that the largest percentage of household types were those With Children, who made up 30% of household types, and Two or More Adults Without Children, who made up 40%.

Environment & Land Use

In 2008, SEMCOG documented that land use in Marysville was made up of 41.7% Single-family residential, 25.5% Industrial, 8.9% Transportation, Communication, and Utility, 8.4% Commercial, 7.4% Government/Institutional, and 6.8% Park, Recreation, and Open Space. While land use was predominantly made up of

residential and industrial properties, in 2010, 41% of land cover was designated as Open Space. According to the SEMCOG, 28% of land cover was categorized as Trees, 27% Impervious, and both Water and Bare (aggregate piles, soil, and unplanted fields)each made up 2% of land cover in Marysville. Site visits and study of satellite aerials highlight the numerous wetlands, woodlands, and waterways that weave throughout the City‘s residential and industrial areas (See Appendix H and Appendix I). These features enhance residents’ quality of life and, according to public input surveys, provide support to two of the City’s greatest assets: The St. Clair River and the parks.

Transportation & Access

How people move from one place to another is an indirect yet significant piece of the recreation system. Main modes of city transportation include walking, biking, driving, and public transportation. The primary form of transportation in Marysville is driving, and according to feedback from public surveys and focus groups many within the City will not walk or bike to a park, or allow their children to do so, for fear of safety. Access to parks and recreational facilities strongly impact usage. If a park is within walking or biking distance, but a person’s safety is compromised, that person will likely drive to the park instead. The majority of Marysville residents live within a half mile of a designated park or City-owned open space. However, fear of safety and lack of recreational programming or facilities influence where residents go to recreate outside. As a result, most residents go to City Park, Chrysler Beach or the

Community Description

Under 18

5 - 17

Figure 1

Under 5

As noted in the 2007 Marysville City Master Plan there are simple responses to issues of safety and access, such as bike lanes, traffic calming design measures, and crosswalks. These efforts not only improve safety, but provide much needed resident access to recreational areas. Such initiatives allow greater opportunity for recreational activities, like biking and walking, while supporting the recreational system within Marysville by providing safe access.

Senior & Youth Population Change 2010 - 2040

65 and over

Living Shoreline/Boardwalk for their outdoor activities instead of walking or biking to their local neighborhood park. Even when taking into account a lack of recreational options in these parks, all residents are within three miles of City Park and the riverfront, a 15 - 20 minute bike ride.

Census 559 1,801 2,360 1,654 2000

Forecasted Population Change 2010 - 2040 Figure 2

Census 668 1, 778 2,331 1,742 2010

Under 5 5 - 17

Household Types 2010

18 - 24

Figure 3

Live Alone, 65+ _ 15%

Live Alone,