Comstock Township - Parks and Recreation

Comstock Township - Parks and Recreation - June 8, 2026 Meeting

Updated about 1 hour ago

The Comstock Parks and Recreation Commission heard a detailed report on a prescribed burn at Robert Morris Park, conducted by the Township Ordinance Officer. The presentation discussed the burn conditions and future recommendations. The meeting also addresses updates from Prein & Newhof on the Merrill Park riverfront improvement project, focusing on shoreline revitalization and potential grants. Additionally, the board approves a landscape plan for Neil Street Park and discusses measures to protect and enhance park facilities. The meeting concludes with updates on park activities and maintenance issues.

Chapters

Welcome and Call to Order (00:01:51)
The meeting of the Charter Township of Comstock Parks and Recreation is called to order.

The meeting begins with a welcome and the official call to order of the regular meeting of the Charter Township of Comstock Parks and Recreation for Monday.
Approval of the Agenda (00:02:04)
The agenda is presented and approved without objections, following a motion.

The first item on the agenda is the approval of the meeting agenda. A motion is made to approve the agenda as presented, and with no objections, the motion passes.
Public Comments (00:02:24)
Opportunity for public comments is offered, but no comments are made.

The floor is opened for public comments, but there are no comments from the public. The meeting proceeds to the next agenda item.
Consent Agenda (00:02:38)
Consent agenda, including meeting minutes and reports, is approved with one abstention.

The consent agenda consists of meeting minutes, a GL distribution report, and a mercantile bill. A motion to approve the consent agenda is made, with one commissioner abstaining. No other objections are raised, and the motion passes.
Prescribed Burn Report Presentation (00:03:40)
A detailed presentation on a prescribed burn conducted at Robert Morris Park is given.

The presentation covers a prescribed burn report for Robert Morris Park. The ordinance officer explains the burn map, conditions, and the outcomes of the burn. Various sections of the park were burned to manage vegetation and improve ecological conditions. The presentation includes details on fire behavior, animal return, and future recommendations for burns.
Merrill Park River Edge Proposal Discussion (00:14:52)
Discussion on the Merrill Park riverfront improvement project, focusing on natural shoreline revitalization.

The discussion focuses on the Merrill Park riverfront improvement project. Topics include revitalizing the shoreline with natural plantings, Egle permits, and potential grant applications. The project considers ADA access, naturalization efforts, and includes feedback from Egle and DNR. Various options and costs for docks and shoreline stabilization are considered.
Neil Street Grass Seeding Quotes (00:29:55)
Two quotes for grass seeding on Neil Street are reviewed, with a recommendation to select Landscape Plus.

Two quotes for grass seeding on Neil Street are presented, one from Landscape Plus and one from Wolverine. The Landscape Plus quote is slightly higher, but the company has a better understanding of the project requirements. The recommendation is to approve the Landscape Plus quote, despite the higher cost, for better quality and local support.
Discussion on Park Landscaping and Site Preparation (00:32:19)
Discussion on the site preparation for park landscaping, focusing on soil and seeding strategies, and the challenges posed by the rocky terrain and lack of irrigation.

The meeting discussed the importance of proper site preparation for park landscaping, with a focus on the rocky terrain that complicates the process. There was a consensus on the need for fall seeding due to the cooler temperatures and higher likelihood of rain. The discussion highlighted the challenges posed by the lack of irrigation and the necessity of relying on natural rain patterns for successful grass growth.
Budget Considerations for Landscaping Project (00:36:02)
The budget allocation for the landscaping project was discussed, with emphasis on ensuring sufficient resources for site preparation and landscaping.

The meeting covered the budgetary aspects of the landscaping project, confirming that funds have been allocated to proceed with the project using Landscape Plus. The discussion emphasized the need to ensure that the budget covers all necessary site preparations, including addressing the rocky terrain and ensuring a quality topsoil layer.
Boulder Placement for Park Barriers (00:37:19)
Discussion on using boulders as natural barriers in parks to prevent vehicles from entering grassy areas and to protect landscaping investments.

The meeting explored the idea of using boulders as natural barriers to prevent vehicles from accessing grassy areas in parks. This discussion included considerations of boulder placement and the cost involved. The committee debated the spacing of boulders and their effectiveness in conjunction with existing structures like curbs and fences. The goal is to protect the landscaping investment and maintain the park's natural aesthetic.
Shade and Seating Improvements in Parks (00:40:07)
Considerations for adding shade structures and seating to parks, addressing the need for shade near playgrounds and pickleball courts.

The committee discussed the need for additional shade and seating in parks, particularly near playgrounds and pickleball courts. Ideas included installing shade structures like awnings or canopies and increasing the number of benches and picnic tables. The need for shade is particularly pressing due to the lack of natural tree cover, and the committee considered various options that would fit within budget constraints.
Approval of Recommendations for Landscape Plus (00:44:00)
A motion was made and approved to accept the director's recommendation to proceed with Landscape Plus for the park project, within budget limits.

A motion was proposed to accept the director's recommendation to proceed with Landscape Plus for the park landscaping project. The motion was carried without objection, indicating unanimous support for the decision to utilize Landscape Plus within the allocated budget.
Reports and Correspondence (00:56:52)
The meeting moved on to review any reports and correspondence. There were no new reports or correspondence to discuss at this time.

During the meeting, the agenda item for reports and correspondence was addressed. It was noted that there were no new reports or correspondence to review or discuss at this point in the meeting.
May Revenue and Expenditure Report (00:57:00)
Review of the May revenue and expenditure report, with no significant questions or concerns raised by the committee members.

The committee reviewed the May revenue and expenditure report. The report was presented without any significant issues, and no questions or concerns were raised by the committee members. The financial standing appears stable according to the report.
June Director's Report (00:57:37)
The June director's report was presented, covering various operational updates, including restroom maintenance and park facility management.

The director presented the June report, providing updates on park operations and maintenance. Key points included the successful management of restroom facilities, with specific mention of the maintenance quality at Merrill Park. The report also touched on ongoing and future projects, indicating that the park facilities are being well maintained and any minor issues are being addressed effectively.
Discussion on Safety Measures at Robert Morris Park (01:02:25)
Discussion on adding speed bumps and barriers for safety at Robert Morris Park due to vehicles bypassing guard shack.

The discussion focused on the issues faced at Robert Morris Park where vehicles are bypassing the line and driving too closely to the guard shack, causing safety concerns for staff. Proposals included adding another set of speed bumps and barriers to protect the guard shack. There was no estimate available yet for these implementations. The conversation also considered the possibility of additional stop signs or a gate at the entrance to better control traffic.
Electrical Issues at Small Pavilion (01:06:09)
Discussion on electrical problems at the small pavilion and potential costs for repairs or new wiring.

There was a discussion about the lack of electricity at the small pavilion. An estimate of $1,000 was mentioned for identifying the problem with the wiring, but it was noted that this cost could increase if the issue was not located underground. The decision is pending on whether to repair the existing wiring or to install new wiring.
Concession Stand Operations (01:07:02)
Update on concession stand operations and sales improvements with staff changes and item updates.

The concession stand is currently operating on a limited schedule, open only on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Recent changes in staffing have led to an increase in sales, with younger staff providing input on more appealing items for sale. The park manager, Carl, is praised for his effective management and ensuring staff are actively engaged.
Invasive Species Removal at Cooper Pond (01:08:21)
Efforts to remove invasive lily pad weeds at Cooper Pond met with challenges and minimal success.

Efforts were made to remove invasive lily pad weeds from Cooper Pond, involving physical removal by a team. The process was labor-intensive and yielded limited visible results, raising concerns about the feasibility of complete removal without chemical treatment, which could impact the river.
Program Report: Farmer's Market and Memorial Day Parade (01:10:19)
Reports on the Farmer's Market attendance and the success of the Memorial Day Parade with high participation.

The Farmer's Market has been well attended, with new vendors and activities like the ukulele group performance. Despite traffic rerouting, the market operations have been smooth. The Memorial Day Parade was highly successful with significant participation, although there were some complaints about its size, which were not directed to the office.
Adjournment (01:11:59)
The meeting was adjourned without further comments or questions.

The meeting concluded with no additional comments or questions, and a motion was made to adjourn the meeting.