Osceola Township Recreation Plan

Transcription

1 Osceola Township Recreation Plan Adopted January 13, 2011 Prepared for: Osceola Township P.O. Box 437 Dollar Bay, MI Prepared by: Western U.P. Planning & Development Region P.O. Box 365 Houghton, MI 49931

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 3 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION... 4 a. Location... 4 b. Population, Housing and Socio-Economic Characteristics... 4 c. Land-Use and Zoning... 8 d. Economy... 8 e. Transportation Systems... 9 f. Topography... 9 g. Geology and Soils h. Climatic Conditions i. Water Resources j. Vegetation and Wildlife ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE RECREATION INVENTORY (See Figure 3) a. Recreational Sites Within Osceola Township b. Recreational Sites Within Houghton County RECREATION GOAL ACTION PROGRAM SOURCES OF FUNDING DESCRIPTION OF PLANNING PROCESS APPENDIX A: RECREATION SURVEY & RESULTS...A-1 APPENDIX B: PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE, MEETING MINUTES & RESOLUTION... B-1 i P a g e

4 INTRODUCTION The Osceola Township Recreation Plan (Plan) has been developed to guide recreation improvements in the Township over the next five years. The Plan provides an overview of the community, presents an inventory of existing recreational facilities, and provides a framework for continued improvement and development of recreation facilities in Osceola Township. The goal of the Plan is to establish a program of improvements that meets the needs but is also affordable and achievable for the Township. A five-year plan also qualifies Osceola Township to apply for Department of Natural Resources & Environment (DNRE) and other grants. This Plan, prepared by Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region, was developed under the guidance of a Recreation Plan Committee on behalf of the Osceola Township Board. Public comments and suggestions were taken under consideration during the development of the Plan. The Plan will continue to be updated, as needed, to address changing needs of the community and its residents. The Osceola Township Board adopted the Plan on January 13, P a g e

5 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION a. LOCATION Osceola Township is located in northern Houghton County, which is found in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan (see Figure 1: Location Map). The southern tip of the Township is on the Portage shipping canal and its most northern boundary is close to the Keweenaw County line. It is bounded on the east by Franklin Township, north by Calumet Township, and west by Schoolcraft and Torch Lake Townships. The Township contains the four unincorporated communities of Dollar Bay, Tamarack City, Tamarack Location and Osceola. b. POPULATION, HOUSING AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS Prior to the turn of the century and for many years thereafter, the area s economy flourished. With the decline of copper mining and lumbering the area experienced a steady out-migration of residents in response to the decline of those industries. Over the years of economic decline many people migrated out of the local area and the western Upper Peninsula. The mining industry eventually closed down operations in Houghton County in Although the closing of the mines placed the area in a state of economic depression that is still apparent today, there are indications that the area is stabilizing as population totals show little change between 1990, 2000 and the 2009 estimate from the US Census Bureau. Table 1: Osceola Township Population Population Osceola Township ,878 Osceola Township ,908 Osceola Township 2009 (estimated) 1,842 Source: US Census Bureau (2000) 4 P a g e

6 Winona! Wyandotte! Copper City! «203 Village of Lake Linden S c h o o l c r a f t! Oskar! 41 Traverse Bay Hubbell! T w p Redridge Liminga Q! u i n c y! T w p Freda! «26 Ripley T o r c h L a k e! City of Houghton! T w p! Senter!! S t a n t o n Atlantic Mine!!! Dreamland Dodgeville Point Mills T w p Village of South Range Trimountain!! Rabbit Bay Painesdale 41! «Chassell! A d a m 26 s Toivola Lake Superior! O s c e o l a T o w n s h i p Lake Superior Donken! E l m R i v e r T w p T w p P o r t a g e T w p! Tapiola Elo! H a n c o c k T w p F r a n k l i n T w p C h a s s e l l T w p C a l u m e t T w p O s c e o l a T w p 41 Village of Calumet Village of Laurium! Jacobsville K E W E E N A W C O U N T Y O N T O N A G O N C O U N T Y! Nisula Alston! Kenton! L a i r d T w p D u n c a n T w p «28! Sidnaw I R O N C O U N T Y B A R A G A C O U N T Y Houghton County M A R Q U E T T E C O U N T Y! Towns State Highway Township Lines Lakes Rivers/Streams Osceola Township City/Village Limits Public Land Osceola Township Figure 1 Location Map O Created by: WUPPDR Source: ESRI, MI CGI. Date: November 2010

7 Analyzing population age distribution characteristics aids in determining the types of recreation and community facilities needed. There are three main groups: 0-5 pre-school, 18 and over prime labor force, and 65 plus. The following table, based on 2000 census data, summarizes the population (2010 census data was unavailable at time of plan development). Table 2: Population Distribution Population Distribution 2000 Census Persons Percent of Total Male % Female % Under 5 Years Old % 5 to 17 Years Old % 18 to 64 Years Old % 65 Years and Over % White 1, % Black or African American 2 0.1% American Indian, Eskimo or Aleut 8 0.4% Asian or Pacific Islander 7 0.4% Two or more races % Mobility or Self Care Limitation (Age 21-64) % Total with Work Disability % Prevented from Working % Mobility or Self Care Limitation (Age 65 and over) % Source: US Census Bureau (2000) 6 P a g e

8 The residents in the 65 plus age group, which it slightly higher than the 12.8% state average, represents those who were established in the area or are original natives of the area who returned to retire in the Township. In recreation planning and programming, special consideration should be given to this age group. While the percentage of the prime working group is less than the norm, the school age group is equitable to the State level so accordingly, these groups merit continuation of recreational facility planning and maintenance to meet their demands. The high influx of tourists to the area each summer and winter also creates an additional demand on local recreational facilities. Additional socioeconomic characteristics, identified in the following tables, include income, housing costs and poverty levels. Table 3: Income Income Median Household $31,278 Median Family $39,861 Per Capita $15,727 Source: US Census Bureau (2000) Table 4: Housing Costs Housing Costs Median Home Value $46,100 Median Contact Rent $388 Source: US Census Bureau (2000) 7 P a g e

9 Table 5: Persons with Income below Poverty Status Persons with Income below Poverty Status 2000 Census Total Persons Percent of Total All Ages % Under 18 Years of Age % Over 18 Years of Age % Families % Source: US Census Bureau (2000) c. LAND-USE AND ZONING The land cover/use in Osceola Township includes everything from urban areas (residential, commercial, etc.) to forests. The primary residential areas are focused in the unincorporated communities of Dollar Bay, Tamarack City and Osceola. The rest of the Township is interspersed with a mix of agricultural lands with large forested regions. Osceola Township presently is not zoned. d. ECONOMY Osceola Township residents are primarily dependent on employment opportunities available in the surrounding communities of Houghton, Hancock, Calumet and Laurium. Michigan Technological University is the largest employer with approximately 1,650 jobs and an enrollment of about 7,100 students. Other major employers in the region include Finlandia University, Portage Health, Keweenaw Aspirus, governmental entities and other private businesses. Employment opportunities within the Township include Horner Flooring and a number of small service type businesses. 8 P a g e

10 e. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS Osceola Township has two major thoroughfares bisecting the north and south ends of the Township. State Highway M-26 runs through the two unincorporated communities of Dollar Bay and Tamarack City and U.S. 41 intersects the Township from southwest to northeast. A well-maintained county road system compliments the Federal and State highway system. Air service is provided by United Express operated by Skywest Airlines at the Houghton County Airport between Hancock and Calumet off U.S. 41. There are two daily flights to Chicago and intercity bus service via Indian Trails is available in the City of Hancock, which departs to Marquette, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Chicago. f. TOPOGRAPHY Osceola Township s topography varies in elevation of approximately 600 feet along the banks of Portage Lake to nearly 1,000 feet of elevation away from the water. Osceola Township has, for the most part, the same physical features as the rest of northern Houghton County with flat to gently rolling terrain. Slopes within the Township can reach as much as 10-20%. Slopes, soil types, drainage and high water tables inhibit some of the land in the county from being developed. 9 P a g e

11 g. GEOLOGY AND SOILS The bedrock of the western portion of the Upper Peninsula and Osceola Township was formed during the Precambrian Era and is crystalline in nature. The Keweenaw Peninsula bedrock is made up of Copper Harbor Conglomerate, Portage Lake Lava Series and Jacobsville Sandstone with the inactive Keweenaw fault running through the area. The most conspicuous geological features are the rugged hills comprised of exposed bedrock, which can be seen throughout the region. The Keweenaw Peninsula is much like other parts of Michigan, with an uneven blanket of unconsolidated material covering the bedrock surface. This material, glacial drift, is a mixture of sand, gravel, clay, and boulders. Glaciers that migrated south during the Pleistocene Epoch transported this material. The two principal kinds of drift are stratified and unstratified. h. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Lake Superior has a dominating effect on the climate of Osceola Township. Temperatures are moderated and annual snowfalls in excess of 200 inches are created by the lake effect. Excessive snowfall is possible and in 1978, 355 inches of snow fell at Houghton County s weather station. Data from the Houghton County Airport weather station indicates that the average annual precipitation is inches, while an average of inches of snow falls annually. The coldest month is January, when temperatures average 13.7 o. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 66.1 o. 10 P a g e

12 i. WATER RESOURCES The lakes, rivers and streams in and around Osceola Township are the most prominent natural features, particularly Portage Lake and Torch Lake. With many miles of shoreline along both lakes, the Township possesses unique opportunities for recreational development. Glacial drift and bedrock aquifers supply the wells in Houghton County. Where present the thickness of glacial drift ranges from a few feet to at least 312 feet. The groundwater quality from most wells is satisfactory for most uses, though some wells contain objectionable amounts of iron. The water supply used by the communities in Houghton County is extracted from groundwater or springs. In the southern part of the county a few farms developed springs to supply enough water for both household and stock use. j. VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE Northern hardwoods characterize the predominant forest cover (of approximately 338,155 acres) in Houghton County. These forest lands are located primarily in the central and inland areas of the County. Osceola Township, partially located inland in the County, has a total of 16,565 acres of which 37% or 6,024 acres are forested. The wildlife within the county includes raccoons, skunks, rabbits, porcupines, squirrels, chipmunks and a variety of bird species. Outside the developed areas, whitetail deer, black bear, fox, otter and beaver are also present. 11 P a g e

13 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE In Osceola Township, park and recreational facilities are managed by the Township Board, with the exception of the school-related properties and snowmobile trails. Current board members are: Steven Karpiak Supervisor, Judy Odgers Clerk, Mary Ringler Treasurer, Bonnie Joyal Trustee, and Aaron Janke Trustee. Osceola Township supports and maintains recreation facilities through annual budget appropriations. Maintenance is carried out by Township employees. The Annual Recreation budget provides approximately $7,400 for operations and maintenance of existing facilities. Additional funding is appropriated as needed to match recreation development grants. Osceola Township Board Recreation Committee Community Schools Township Supervisor Clerk's Office Treasurer's Office Public Works Figure 2: Administrative Structure Crew in Charge Parks Maintenance 12 P a g e

14 RECREATION INVENTORY (SEE FIGURE 3) Osceola Township maintains access to a number of recreation facilities for both local residents and tourists. The following recreation inventory describes the types and location (See Figure 3) of recreation facilities currently available in the Township and nearby. In addition, accessibility assessments and rankings are provided for each site based on the parameters outlined in the DNRE Guidelines for the Development of Community Park, Recreation, Open Space, and Greenway Plans as follows: 1=none of the facilities/park areas meet accessibility guidelines 2=some of the facilities/park areas meet accessibility guidelines 3=most of the facilities/park areas meet accessibility guidelines 4=the entire park meets accessibility guidelines 5-the entire park was developed/renovated using the principals of universal design Based on this inventory the need for improvements and additional recreational facilities can be fully evaluated. The map in Figure 3 identifies the locations of Osceola Township s recreation sites. 13 P a g e

15 Recreation Sites 1 Tamarack Mill Park C a l u m e t T o w n s h i p 2 Quincy Dredge 3 Sandy Bottom Park Veterans Field Dollar Bay Recreation Facility Gooseneck Park 203 Tamarack Location Calumet 7 Dollar Bay Elementary Playground H a n c o c k T o w n s h i p Osceola Location Hancock-Calumet Trail Laurium S c h o o l c r a f t T o w n s h i p 41 Lake Linden F r a n k l i n T o w n s h i p Q u i n c y T w p 1 Tamarack Torch Lake 26 City of Hancock 2 6 KeweenawTrail City of Houghton Portage Shipping Canal Dollar Bay T o r c h L a k e T o w n s h i p Portage Lake e Recreation Sites Osceola Township City Boundary Highway Road Bike Path / Snowmobile Trail Lakes Rivers/Streams Township Lines Osceola Township Figure 3 Recreation Sites Created by: WUPPDR Source: ESRI, MI CGI. Date: November 2010 Dre

16 a. RECREATIONAL SITES WITHIN OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP 1. Tamarack Mill Park 6.12 acre site owned by Osceola Township. Former stamp mill site that has been partially remediated. A Department of Environmental Quality Grant in 2004 provided soil with seed on the southern portion of the park, and a sidewalk was constructed to provide barrier-free access to much of the site. New developments since the last Osceola Township Recreation Plan Update in 2006 include a basketball court, playground, pavilion, and electricity. Funding in the amount of $52,000 for these projects came primarily from local fundraising efforts ($46,000) matched by funds from Osceola Township and Tamarack City ($6,000). The park is used by local residents and visitors of Tamarack City and the Township. Accessibility assessment=3. 2. Quincy Dredge 7.2 acre historic site owned by Osceola Township located in a historic district on the waterfront of the Portage Lake Shipping Canal. The site contains a partially submerged dredge and smokestacks, which provided power to the former mill. A common photo stop for tourists along M26 and also viewed 15 P a g e

17 from the recreation trail that runs along the site. General access to the site is limited. Accessibility assessment=1. 3. Sandy Bottom Park Township owned 2.7 waterfront acres located on Lower Point Mills Road less than two miles from M-26, with an additional 42 acres across Point Mills Road. Sandy Bottom Park is a day park consisting of a swimming beach, picnic area, pavilion and boat launch. In 2004, a combination of MDNR Trust Fund Grants and Coastal Management Program along with Township support provided funds to construct a restroom building, swimming beach with swimming delineation and shoreline protection wall, paved parking lot with paved pathways to improved boat launch and beach, and construction of covered and uncovered picnic tables. Township residents and visitors use the site. Accessibility assessment=3. 16 P a g e

18 4. Veteran s Field 4.57 acre site owned by Veteran s of Foreign Wars and consists of a baseball field with dugouts, barbeque pits, a memorial bridge and a monolith that honors the veterans. The baseball field is used by youth and adult community baseball leagues during the summer. Accessibility assessment=3. 5. Dollar Bay Recreation Facility Owned by Osceola Township and located on Main Street in Dollar Bay, the park consists of an ice rink, warming hut, tennis courts, basketball court and horseshoe pit. The site is heavily used in all seasons for general recreation. Accessibility assessment=3. 6. Gooseneck Park Owned by the Township, this approximate 4 acre site is located on M- 26 just outside of Dollar Bay. The property transferred ownership to the township from Michigan Department of Transportation for recreation use only. At one time Gooseneck Park was a roadside park complete with picnic, swimming, and play areas. Currently, the site consists of a dirt road and grass areas which are maintained by the Township. Accessibility assessment=2. 17 P a g e

19 7. Dollar Bay Head Start Playground Owned by Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools, the playground is used by children in the Head Start Program, and is adjacent to Dollar Bay Elementary on North Maple Street. The playground is also used by school and neighborhood children. Accessibility assessment=3. b. RECREATIONAL SITES WITHIN HOUGHTON COUNTY Osceola Township is one of many recreational providers within Houghton County. There are a number of recreational facilities within close proximity to Osceola Township that provide opportunities to residents and visitors including: 1. Houghton County Arena Located in the City of Hancock, the Arena is a multi-purpose facility serving a large number of County residents through various programs and services yearround. It serves as the primary practice and game facility for over 600 Junior Hockey players including senior and high school teams. Figure skating and public skating for youth and senior citizens are also scheduled at the facility. Ice is maintained at the Arena for six months of the year. The grounds also serve as a rest station for the adjacent Maasto Hiito ski trails. It is used extensively for 4-H, the County Fair, and other recreational and community programs and organizations. 18 P a g e

20 2. Houghton County Marina The marina is located just outside the City of Hancock to the east of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and three miles west of Dollar Bay. The marina is full service offering 54 slips, gas/diesel fuel, transient slips, pump-out station, picnic facilities for boaters, ice cooler, and nautical charts. 3. Mont Ripley Mont Ripley is a ski hill owned and operated by Michigan Technological University. It is open during the winter season, and offers a complete rental shop and skiing and snowboarding lessons. A high tech snow machine supplements the 20 feet of natural snow Mont Ripley receives each year. Mont Ripley hosts a racing league for adults as well as ski and snowboard bordercross racing, and is home to various schoolbased ski teams. A National Nordic Ski Patrol provides first-aid and other services. 4. Beaches Several sandy beaches are accessible to the public and provide opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. Nearby Houghton County beaches include: Lake Linden Recreation Area, Hancock Beach and Campground, Houghton Waterfront Park and Calumet Waterworks Park. 5. Trails The region hosts a network of snowmobile/multipurpose trails that complement Hancock s offerings including the Jack Steven s Rail-Trail from Hancock to Calumet, the snowmobile trail from Hancock to Lake Linden, the Chassell-Houghton Rail-Trail, MTU Ski Trails and the Swedetown Trails in Calumet. Opportunities for these trails provide motorized and non-motorized activities such as biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, skijoring, ATV and snowmobiling. 19 P a g e

21 Houghton County also serves as one of the primary gateways to Isle Royale National Park. The western Upper Peninsula also has countless sites offering more passive recreational opportunities and would include the Keweenaw National Historical Park, Copper Country Trail National Byway, museums, mine tours, scenic drives, etc. Outside of Houghton County are numerous facilities that allow for any number of recreational pursuits, most notably the Porcupine Mountains State Park, Ottawa National Forest, and Fort Wilkins State Park. 20 P a g e

22 RECREATION GOAL The goal of Osceola Township is to define an affordable and achievable recreation improvement program for the Township that will provide for the needs of residents and visitors and also increase use and user satisfaction at Township facilities. Osceola Township is active in pursuing recreation improvements at all of its recreational sites in order to provide for a wide range of needs related to its diverse range of residents and long winter months. Needs in the Township include updating facilities, expanding and extending the use of existing facilities, and acquisition of additional recreation sites. The Township also encourages non-motorized improvements (shoulders or separate pathways) as feasible with all road construction/improvements. 21 P a g e

23 ACTION PROGRAM In order to expand and extend the use of facilities as well as add to the current inventory, a number of projects have been proposed. These projects were identified in previous plans and through community input. Recreation projects were prioritized based on results from a community survey (see Appendix A) and according to the current and projected needs of Osceola Township determined by the Recreation Committee. The projects are addressed in the following five-year capital improvement schedule. The capital improvement schedule will be reviewed annually by the Recreation Committee and Township Board and acted upon based on available funding and changing priorities or needs. It is the intent of Osceola Township to review and amend this plan and implementation schedule as needed to support local efforts in recreational programming. Acronyms used in the following table include: MDNRE: Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment EPA: Environmental Protection Agency MDEQ: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality NSBG: National Scenic Byway Grant Program Table 6: Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan Priority Year Project Cost Funding Source Tamarack Mill Park Investigate land ownership and acquire land for ice rink Tamarack Mill Park Construct ice skating rink & warming shack Sandy Bottom Install playground area and equipment Sandy Bottom Install boulders along park s boundary Tamarack Hills Park Investigate land ownership and acquire land for park area Unknown Unknown $25,000 MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township $3,000 Township Unknown MDNRE/Local 22 P a g e

24 Priority Year Project Cost Funding Source Dollar Bay Recreation Facility Install roof over ice rink. Tamarack Mill Park Construct toilet facility in or near pavilion Tamarack Mill Park Fence in park along M-26 $150,000 $30,000 Unknown 9 Gooseneck Park Develop parking lot $10, Gooseneck Park Install picnic area $5,000 MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township Local/Township MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township Tamarack Mill Park Fence in pillars and remove hazardous materials Tamarack Mill Park Environmental remediation (grass covering, etc.) Sandy Bottom Install new water line and extend to toilet building and pavilion Sandy Bottom Install additional picnic tables Gooseneck Park Install seasonal toilet facilities $200,000 $10,000 $8,000 EPA/MDEQ/ Township EPA/MDEQ/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township $11,000 Local/Township Unknown Township Tamarack Hills Park Install picnic table $1,000 Township 17 Tamarack Hills Park Construct play area $20,000 MDNRE/Local/ Township 18 Tamarack Mill Park Construct ball field Unknown MDNRE/Local 19 Acquire property to create Osceola Mine Memorial Park Unknown MDNRE/Local/ Township/NSBG 20 Quincy Dredge Install picnic area Unknown Local/Township 23 P a g e

25 Priority Year Project Cost Funding Source 21 Quincy Dredge Install interpretive signage $2, Quincy Dredge Construct boat launch Unknown Local/Township/ NSBG MDNRE/Local/ Township 23 Gooseneck Park Install water $7,500 Local/Township Tamarack Mill Park Create a nature walk with interpretive signage Unknown 25 Electric Park Install interpretive signage Unknown Acquire property around Hungarian Falls & improve trails Sandy Bottom Install 2 handicap accessible fishing piers Gooseneck Park Construct pedestrian bridge Sandy Bottom Develop RV park on adjacent land Unknown $25,000 $25,000 Unknown 30 Tamarack Mill Park Construct RV park Unknown 31 Tamarack Hills Park Construct basketball court Unknown MDNRE/Local/ Township/NSBG MDNRE/Local/ Township/NSBG MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township MDNRE/Local/ Township Rationale for improvements at each site includes: a. ELECTRIC PARK Project rationale: The Electric Park property is owned by Osceola Township. It is a 40 acre historical site, previously a stop on the 1930s Houghton County Street Car Company s route, and the proposed projects will restore the site to its former use as a public recreation area. 24 P a g e

26 b. TAMARACK HILLS PARK Project rationale: The Tamarack Hills property is currently owned by Osceola Township. There are not presently similar recreational opportunities in the near vicinity, which is located in a well-populated residential area. c. QUINCY DREDGE Project rationale: The Quincy Dredge property is currently owned by Osceola Township. The submerged dredge and the abandoned adjacent mill are historical sites and may be considered as a future Keweenaw Historical Park Heritage Site. Development of the site will also restrict access and improve safety conditions for the general public on the property. d. TAMARACK MILL PARK Project rationale: A Michigan DNR Trust Fund Application was submitted in 2005, to implement Phase II of the Tamarack Mill Park Master Plan, which included installing utilities, a play structure, seating, bike hoops and picnic tables, in addition to constructing a pavilion. Osceola Township did not receive the grant, but through local fundraising efforts were able to accomplish most components of Phase II. Phase III of the plan includes construction of an ice skating rink, ball field, basketball courts and a nature walk with interpretive signage. Additional plans for the stamp mill include fencing in pillars and removing hazardous materials between them and environmental remediation. Future projects will increase safety and accessibility for park users. e. SANDY BOTTOM PARK Project Rationale: A 2005 Michigan DNR Trust Fund application was awarded to add two handicapped accessible fishing piers, install additional picnic tables, a play structure, extend the existing water line to the toilet building and pavilion, and install boulders along with park s boundary. Although the Township was awarded the grant, issues concerning the match occurred and the grant was turned back to the state. Prior 25 P a g e

27 to 2005 other construction at the park led it to become a popular recreation area for local residents. The 2005 Recreation improvements are still a priority for the township to address accessibility, and provide greater opportunities for public or community gatherings. f. HUNGARIAN FALLS Project Rationale: Hungarian Falls is already a popular recreation site for both local residents and visitors to the area. Acquisition and construction will increase both accessibility and safety of the site. g. DOLLAR BAY RECREATION FACILITY Project Rationale: The facility is already a heavily used recreation area, and further development would extend the current use of the ice rink. BEYOND FIVE YEARS Beyond five years the Osceola Township Recreation Committee recognizes a variety of potential recreation projects suggested in other community plans and by community members. While it is unlikely the projects will be accomplished in the next five years, the Committee was unanimous in including the projects in this plan. Develop Torch Lake Recreation Area o Acquire property to create Torch Lake Recreation Area o Develop cross country ski/nature trails on current ATV trails near proposed site o Provide portage for kayakers and canoeists from Dollar Bay to Torch Lake o Create a gravel trail entry point at Gooseneck Creek for kayakers and silent boaters Develop Electric Park o Construct playground o Construct gravel parking area o Rebuild pavilion and concession building Gooseneck Park o Install volleyball court 26 P a g e

28 SOURCES OF FUNDING A number of possible sources of funding for recreation projects within the City of Hancock are available and include the following: Table 7: Possible Funding Sources Description Match Source Local Funds Township Community Foundation/Other (local service organizations and businesses) Local Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) GLRI Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) 75/25 grant DNRE Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) 50/50 grant DNRE Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) 75/25 grant DNRE Off Road Vehicle (ORV)/Snowmobile Grants DNRE Coastal Zone Management (CZM) 50/50 grant DNRE National Scenic Byway Grant Program (NSBG) 80/20 grant NSBG Miscellaneous Grants Various 27 P a g e

29 DESCRIPTION OF PLANNING PROCESS The Osceola Township board recognizes the need for a recreation plan in order to provide its residents with recreation opportunities. To obtain maximum input from all residents the Township Supervisor appointed a recreation plan committee to represent interests of the Township as a whole. The committee consisted of: Steven Karpiak, Aaron Janke, Jim Roberts, and Don Wareham. The Board contracted with Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region to work with this committee in updating this plan. The first step in the planning process was for the committee to obtain local input from recreation users. This was accomplished through a recreation survey offered online for six weeks. Additionally, paper surveys were available of which several committee members distributed in township neighborhoods. Notices of the survey were published in the local newspaper, posted online, sent to the Chamber of Commerce list, published on Twitter, and through word of mouth. The survey generated responses from 99 participants representing one to 11 member families (the survey and results are located in Appendix A). Based on survey results and needs identified by the committee, a list of prioritized recreation projects was created. The Township Board called a public meeting for citizens after the 30-day public review period to comment on the proposed recreation plan update. The public hearing was held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011, where no comments were received, and the plan was subsequently adopted by the Osceola Township Board at a regularly scheduled Board meeting held on the same evening. All notices of hearings were publicized to invite citizen comment and review of the new recreation plan. The Osceola Township Board Resolution of Adoption, public hearing notice and minutes are included in Appendix B. 28 P a g e

30 APPENDIX A: RECREATION SURVEY & RESULTS A-1 P a g e

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42 APPENDIX B: PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE, MEETING MINUTES & RESOLUTION B-1 P a g e

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