RECREATION PLAN FOR

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN 2007-2012 Draft February 1, 2007

U.P. Engineers & Architects, Inc. 102 W. Washington St., Suite 217 Marquette, MI 49855

Issued for Public Comment February 27, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Community Description ............................................................................................................................ 1 Administrative Structure .......................................................................................................................... 2 Recreation and Resource Inventories ...................................................................................................... 3 Description of Public Input Process ......................................................................................................... 6 Goals and Objectives..................................................................................................................................7 Action Program ......................................................................................................................................... 9 APPENDICES Appendix A: Township Recreation Survey Appendix B: Building and Recreation Committee Budget Appendix C: Minutes for Building and Recreation Committee __________ Meeting (future element) Appendix D: Public Notice, Township Board Agenda and minutes for Public Hearing (future element) Appendix E: Resolution Adopting Recreation Plan Appendix F: Community Center Rental Rates Appendix G: Recreation Program Schedule / Ice Rink Schedule

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COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION For the purpose of this plan, the “community” is defined as the area encompassed by Negaunee Township’s political boundaries. The development of this plan was initiated by the Negaunee Township Buildings and Recreation Committee with the approval of the Negaunee Township Board of Trustees. The Township has endeavored to include neighboring communities in their planning process by inviting representatives to submit comments and to participate in the planning process by special invitation to planning sessions. The focus of this plan is to address current and projected future needs for all types of recreation activity. Discussion primarily focuses on four parcels currently owned by the Township and set aside for recreation. The feasibility of committing additional Township owned property to recreation use is also investigated.

Negaunee Township

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ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE Management responsibilities for the Township parks, including programming, falls to the Negaunee Township Buildings and Recreation Committee. This is an elected body originally established by the Township Board in 1955 as a building authority under Public Act 197 of 1929 to oversee construction, maintenance and debt payments relating to their new Community Building. This body was entrusted with it’s recreation function in 1959 when it’s membership was also changed from being appointed positions to being elected positions. The Buildings and Recreation Committee provides direction, policy and day-to-day management of the operation of all Township Park facilities as well as the buildings that support other township government functions. This body advises and makes recommendations to the Township Board on all matters related to recreation in the Township including the acquisition of parkland. The Building and Recreation Committee meets publicly monthly according to a published schedule. The funding for the Building and Recreation Committee is from a tax levy of 1.9 mills for the Townships buildings and recreation. These funds are for the exclusive use for recreation programs and facilities. The current and projected budget for the Negaunee Township Building and Recreation Committee is included as Appendix B. Fees charged for the use of recreation facilities also contributes to the Committees annual budget. The Township Building and Recreation Committee coordinates recreation programming and maintenance of their facilities. Part time assistants are hired as needed to administer recreation programs. The direct maintenance of the Townships facilities is performed by the Townships Department of Public Works. A considerable amount of volunteer assistance is also provided by youth baseball organizations who are responsible for the playability of the fields.

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RECREATION AND RESOURCE INVENTORIES The following resource inventory of Negaunee Township recreation facilities was conducted by interviewing Township officials, reviewing their current recreation plan and by making site visits. Properties owned and operated as recreation facilities by the Township are listed in the following table. CLASSIFICATION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Mini Park

M-35 Property: This property includes approximately twenty acres adjacent to a residentially developed area near County Road 480. This parcel is undeveloped, however a number of residents have indicated a desire to have a small mini park development on this site, including play equipment for young children.

Neighborhood Park

Midway Drive Recreation Park: This small neighborhood park is approximately one acre in extent and generally serves the nearby residential area along Midway Drive. The park includes children’s play equipment and picnic tables and a paved multipurpose play surface with basketball nets. In general the play equipment is pre-ADA and is not accessible. As play equipment is replaced or up graded attention will be paid to accessible units.

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Sports Complex

Negaunee Township Park: The Negaunee Township Park consists of 71 acres adjacent to the Township governmental offices on Highway M-35 near highway U.S. 41. This site represents the most developed facilities in the townships recreation program. This is a four season facility and is the most used park in the Townships system. There are two baseball fields with dug outs and two additional fields under construction. Organized baseball programs occupy much of the available play time on the fields. Picnic amenities are provided along with children’s play equipment. Also provided are tennis courts and an automated batting cage and a basket ball court. A small outdoor pavilion and pit toilets are also provided. A two mile nature trail winds through a forested area which is also used as a cross country ski trail in the winter. An outdoor hockey rink with dasher boards and lighting is also included on the site. Township Community Building: Located on a two acre parcel adjacent to the Township Park are the township governmental offices. This structure provides indoor recreation facilities which include a small gymnasium for basketball, shuffleboard, table tennis and volleyball. The facility also includes a full kitchen. The facility is available for receptions, dancing and other public and private events. In general facilities at the sports complex are accessible. Improvements can be made to the approach to accessible elements such as toilets, etc. Also trail surfaces can be improved to facilitate access.

Neighborhood Park

Kivela Road Recreation Area: This park is located on a forty acre parcel in the western part of the Township. It includes a baseball field, playground equipment and a 2.7 mile nature trail. The nature trail is also groomed as a cross country ski trail in the winter months. Accessible play equipment will be added as equipment is replaced and upgraded. Also, a barrier free approach needs to be added to the toilet building and proper signage placed. Also a landscape buffer between the dugout benches and the parking lot and Kivela Road should be constructed to improve safety.

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Kivela Road Recreation Area

Midway Drive Recreation Park

M-35 Property

Township Park and Community Building

Negaunee Township Recreation Facilities 5

DESCRIPTION OF PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS The process of involving the public in the preparation of this Recreation Plan began in 2006 with the publication of a community meeting held at the Township Hall. Specific invitation was made to the adjoining communities and the meeting was advertised both in the local newspaper and on local radio stations and on the Townships web page. Posters were also displayed to invite the community to participate in the updating of their recreation plan. To extend the participation process, the Building and Recreation Committee sent questionnaires to landowners along with their summer tax bills. A tabulation and copies of the questionnaires is included in Appendix A. A draft of the updated plan was prepared and presented to the Building and Recreation Committee for review at their regular meeting on February 1, 2007. Modifications were discussed and final plan was prepared and published for public review and comment on February 15, 2007. Public review was solicited via the Townships web site and a notice was placed in the local newspaper. The document was also made available at the Township governmental office and at the local public library.

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Negaunee Township has a long trend in population growth. In the last half century only the 1980-1990 census indicated a slight drop in population. The total population in the 2000 census of 2,707 records a continuation of this growth trend; the 2004 population projection from the Census Bureau is 2,716. This trend is contrary to Marquette County as a whole. Anecdotal information indicates that Negaunee Townships growth pattern is a reflection of its close proximity to the employment centers of Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming. This characteristic along with the relatively low tax burden and affordability of housing and the natural beauty of the immediate surroundings makes Negaunee Township an ideal place for young families. This is reflected in the fact that 32% of the Township’s population is less than 25 years of age and 61% of the occupied housing units are owner occupied single family homes. Approximately 9% of the population is 65 years of age and over. The recreation goals of the Township are to take advantage of this population characteristic and provide a wide range of recreation activities that are family based. The goal is to satisfy the needs of the Townships citizens and neighbors with a mix of active and passive recreation opportunity. Future plans for a hotel and casino development within the Township will increase the need for recreation facilities. The natural setting of the Township and Marquette County as a whole are ideal assets for promoting regional natural resource based tourism. The recent activities related to the development of the “Iron Ore Heritage Trail” and the presence to nearby lakes and streams strengthens the importance of this recreation component. Tourism also continues to become more important each year as Upper Peninsula economies sift from mineral extraction to a tourism and service base. The Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic passes through the northern part of the township and attracts over 1000 riders annually. The Townships goal is to provide recreation for both tourists and residents, not only of the Township, but of the County as a whole. The Township has been a leader in the promotion of baseball in the area and will be hosting the State Tournament for 11-12 year old girls soft ball in 2007. Tourist based recreation is primarily in the form hunting, fishing, biking and hiking. The Township’s goal includes expanding the opportunity for natural resource based recreation by providing expanded facilities for access to both local and regional trails. The need for public fishing access, particularly for people with limited mobility was also indicated in a citizens survey conducted as part of the preparation of this plan. The goal of assisting the expansion of non-motorized trails in the region is also one that was identified in the citizen’s survey and the physical features and natural setting puts the Township at a crossroads of a potentially extensive County wide trail system. These trail elements will not only serve the Townships residents, but will strengthen the recreation opportunity for the entire County and the wider tourism sector as well. Recreation opportunity for nearby residents is based on family-oriented recreation. Regionally managed snowmobile trail access is conveniently located in the Township and the promotion of non-motorized trail connections within the Township will provide an important health benefit. 7

To achieve their recreation goals, the Township has embarked on this recreation plan update and had endeavored to provide as much opportunity for citizen and neighbor involvement as possible. The Township also continues to rely on the generosity of sporting groups, such as little league, to lead volunteer efforts to make their facilities the envy of neighboring municipalities. ACTION PROGRAM YEAR

PROJECT Township Park:

2007

Construct two baseball fields and associated parking lots. Expand internal vehicle driveways.

BUDGET $600,000

FUNDING SOURCE Township Funding/DNR Recreation Grant

$ 75,000

Township/DNR Recreation Grant/Trail Advocates

Expand playground and picnic sites and landscaping 2008

Improve nature trails and ski trail system/link to regional trails. Light ski trails. Construct warming pavilion, concessions and restroom facilities. Construct new outdoor hockey rink.

2009

Kivela Road Recreation Area: Improve separation between ball fields and Kivela Rd. Improve barrier free access to playground equipment. Replace outdated playground equipment.

2010

Provide trail connection to Noquemanon Trail Network.

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REMARKS

2011

Midway Drive Park:

$ 70,000

Township/DNR Recreation Grant

$160,000

Township/DNR Recreation Grant

Replace playground equipment with modern handicap accessible facilities.

2012

M-35 Park: Construct Multi-purpose play surface with basketball hoops. Construct handicap accessible youth playground site. Construct wetland nature trail.

2013

Morgan Pond Site: Construct trailhead and Township Park system Heritage Trail System. access to Morgan Pond and fishing.

trail connections to $350,000 and the Iron Ore Provide barrier free for wildlife viewing

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Township/DNR Recreation Grant/ Trail Advocates

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP PARK

MICHIGAN IRON INDUSTRY MUSEUM TRAIL SYSTEM

“IRON ORE HERITAGE TRAIL PROJECT” - PROPOSED TRAIL LOCATION

EXISTING TOWNSHIP TRAIL SYSTEM

FUTURE TRAIL CONNECTION TO “IRON ORE HERITAGE TRAIL” SYSTEM

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP MORGAN POND SITE

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APPENDIX A Recreation Survey

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APPENDIX B Operating Budget for Negaunee Township Buildings and Recreation Committee

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APPENDIX C Public Notice/Agenda and Minutes for Building and Recreation Committee Public Hearing (Insert as available)

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APPENDIX D Public Notice/Agenda and Minutes for Township Board Public Hearing (Insert as available)

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APPENDIX E Negaunee Township Board Resolution Adopting 2007-2012 Recreation Plan (Insert as available)

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APPENDIX F Negaunee Township Community Center Rental Rates

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APPENDIX G Negaunee Township Recreation Program Schedule Ice Rink Program Schedule

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