Comstock Charter Township - August 11, 2025 Comstock Township Parks & Recreation Board

Updated about 5 hours ago

The board discusses the Merrill Park River's Edge Project, focusing on grant applications and the need for an Eagle permit. They also decide on the installation of a sway bench and ADA-compliant concrete pads at Robert Morris Park. The meeting covers the development of Neil Street Park, including the need for benches and a pickleball paddle holder. Additionally, the board plans future park management strategies and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Neil Street Park. The discussion also touches on environmental management at Cooper Park.

Chapters

Call to Order and Welcome (00:01:28)
The meeting was called to order in the absence of the chair, and all members were welcomed, with one member absent.

The meeting for the Charter Township's Park and Recreation was called to order due to the chair's absence, with all members present except for Theresa. The agenda was reviewed and approved with an amendment to move the Merrill Park project to the first item under business.
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda (00:01:57)
The agenda was amended to move the Merrill Park project first and was approved. The consent agenda, including previous meeting minutes, was also approved.

The agenda was amended to move the Merrill Park River's Edge project to the first item under business. A motion was made and carried to approve the amended agenda. The consent agenda, which included the meeting minutes and reports, was then approved unanimously.
Public Comments (00:02:33)
The floor was opened for public comments, but there were no comments or questions from the public at this time.

The meeting opened the floor for public comments, inviting anyone with questions or comments for the board to speak. There were no public comments, so the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.
Merrill Park River's Edge Project Discussion (00:02:54)
Discussion on the Merrill Park River's Edge Project focused on grant applications, permits, and project details.

Mike from the engineering firm presented the Merrill Park River's Edge Project. The township is interested in applying for grants for improvements. Discussion included the need for an Eagle permit for work on the riverfront, recommendations for pre-application meetings, preliminary surveys, and the importance of including features like kayak launches and seating in the plans.
Project Updates and Decisions (00:14:27)
Updates on various park projects were discussed, with plans to vote on certain projects in the next meeting.

The board reviewed updates on various park projects. A comprehensive list was presented, showing the timeline and current status of each project. The board will need to decide on the continuation or shelving of certain projects, like playground installations and ADA improvements, in the next meeting.
Robert Morris Beach Closures and Revenue Impact (00:26:13)
The impact of beach closures due to geese problems on revenue was discussed, along with pavilion rental trends.

The board discussed the revenue impact of beach closures at Robert Morris Park due to geese problems. A comparison of entrance fees from the previous year showed a decrease. Despite this, pavilion rentals have increased. The need to adjust the budget due to lost revenue will be assessed later in the year.
E. coli Testing Discussion (00:30:05)
Discussion on scheduling E. coli tests to determine contamination sources, considering cost and funding options.

The board discussed high E. coli levels at the beach and the need for testing to determine contamination sources. A test by the county is scheduled, with no cost involved. The possibility of source testing by Eagle, which would incur a cost, was also discussed. The board considered whether to proceed with Eagle's test immediately or wait for potential grant funding. The aim is to identify if contamination is from geese, humans, or other sources, which could inform beach closure reasons.
Neil Street Park Development (00:38:38)
Update on Neil Street Park development progress, including facilities and equipment needs.

Progress on Neil Street Park was discussed, highlighting the completion of pickleball courts and restrooms. The board considered the need for additional equipment like benches and picnic tables, discussing budget availability and the timing of purchases. The importance of having seating and trash facilities ready for the park's opening was emphasized. Suggestions were made to monitor park usage after opening to determine further needs.
Park Naming and Ribbon Cutting Planning (00:56:30)
Discussion on naming the new park and planning a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The board discussed potential names for the new park, considering historical references and location-based options. They also planned for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the park, aiming to include board members and public participation. The board emphasized the importance of choosing a name that reflects the park's identity and resonates with the community.
Discussion on Naming of New Park (00:57:28)
The board discussed options for naming a new park, considering historical figures and marketing aspects. They plan to submit top five choices.

The meeting involved discussing potential names for a new park, with considerations for historical relevance and community recognition. Names like Ralph San, Clarence Neil, and others were mentioned. The board debated whether to involve the public in the decision or to decide internally. The consensus was to gather top five names from board members and submit them for consideration. They discussed the importance of choosing a meaningful name that resonates with the community.
Planning for Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (01:06:11)
The board discussed planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for a park in September or October, considering dates and logistics.

The board members discussed potential dates for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new park, aiming for late September or early October. They considered factors such as weather, parking availability, and whether to hold it on a weekday or weekend. The idea of inviting news outlets and issuing a press release was mentioned. They also discussed whether it should be open to the public or kept more formal with limited attendance.
Monthly Park Discussion: Cooper Park (01:10:00)
The board reviewed issues at Cooper Park, focusing on managing lily pads and considering nature education as an alternative.

The discussion centered around the challenges of managing the lily pads at Cooper Park. The board reviewed a letter from the DNR outlining options like chemical treatment and dredging, but these were seen as expensive and potentially ineffective. Instead, the board considered working with the Kalamazoo Nature Center to conduct wildlife surveys and use the park for nature education, promoting its natural state and educating the public about its biodiversity.
Robert Morris Park ADA Project (01:19:00)
The board approved funds for ADA improvements at Robert Morris Park, including a sway bench and concrete pads.

The board discussed and approved funding for ADA improvements at Robert Morris Park. This includes installing a sway bench with an ADA-compliant path and concrete pads around grills to enhance accessibility. The total expenditure was approved, taking into account a grant that would offset some costs. The improvements aim to make the park more accessible and enjoyable for visitors with disabilities.
Reports and Correspondence (01:24:00)
The board reviewed revenue and expenditure reports and discussed upcoming events and park maintenance.

The board reviewed the revenue and expenditure report for July, noting no major issues. They also discussed upcoming events, such as a playground build in September, and park maintenance schedules, including the end of the summer season at Robert Morris Park. The report included updates on park usage and events like disc golf tournaments, highlighting the park's active community engagement.
Discussion on Park Management and Coordination (01:30:09)
The discussion focused on ensuring proper management of the park, with clear communication from the director and staff alignment on policies.

The conversation revolved around the need to coordinate efforts in managing the park effectively. It was mentioned that there was some confusion regarding the roles and responsibilities for park management. Ensuring that communication comes from a single source, namely the director, was emphasized to avoid conflicting information. The importance of aligning policies and procedures was also discussed to ensure that the park is managed correctly.
Playground Build Participation Concerns (01:31:32)
Concerns were raised about low participation numbers for the upcoming playground build, which may impact project success.

The discussion highlighted worries regarding the low number of volunteers for the upcoming playground build. It was noted that having two playground builds in one season was ambitious, but circumstances necessitated it. The need for more community involvement and support was emphasized to ensure the success of the playground projects.
Adjournment (01:31:45)
The meeting was formally adjourned following a motion that was passed by the members present.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was put forward and passed. This marked the end of the meeting, and attendees were thanked for their participation.