After much discussion, the Independence Township Parks and Recreation Department has their five year master plan.
The document was presented and approved by the Independence Township Board of Trustees last week.
‘This puts the road map ahead of us,? Trustee Dan Travis said. ‘It also represents our ability to meet the expectations of all ages of our community.?
The plan states the need for development and renovation of existing facilities. Facilities that were highlighted include the Bay Court Lodge (seek funding for its renovation or interested private parties for use of the facility), the Senior Center (evaluate the cost of adding to the existing facility, building a new facility and the feasibility of reusing Bay Court Lodge as a senior center) and the Stickney/McCord property (sell the farmhouse to a private party who is interested in its renovation and keeping its historic integrity) as items that need to be addressed in the next five years.
Once again the development of an indoor community center was listed as a Parks and Recreation need. Both the senior center and the community center were voted down by Independence residents in 2002.
‘The indoor recreation center was an item the public stated was important. However, since it is cost prohibitive for the township to take on such a project it would need to come from the private sector,? township planner Dick Carlisle said.
Residents envision a community center as a facility that would meet their active recreation needs and would also provide a variety of activities from all segment of the population, especially teen and seniors.
Additional Parks and Recreation needs stated in the master plan include:
? Park development and maintenance. This includes development of a spraypark and new soccer fields.
? Recreation program maintenance and improvements. The suggestions from the public included improvements in programs for teens, senior programs and winter-based programs.
? Improvement of partnerships. In order to do this Parks and Rec must coordinate with the school district, county, the land conservancy, and the private sector providing recreation opportunities, avoiding duplication of services and sharing facilities.
? Continue the development of the bike/hike path system. This includes supporting the implementation of the township’s safety path master plan and also the encouragement of development of pathways that specifically connect township parks to community facilities and schools.
? Administrative and financial needs. Financing the development of new facilities and programs will have to be addressed by pursuing grants, donations and seeking alternative sources of funding.
Public workshops focusing on park and recreation issues were held on Oct. 30 and Dec. 18. This was done to seek input from Independence Township officials and residents. The first workshop included 20 to 25 residents, while the second workshop, geared toward township officials, included 10 participants.