Plans to create a nature park in the Village of Leonard are moving forward thanks to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recent approval of a five-year parks and recreation plan encompassing the entire community.
Having a state-approved plan makes the village eligible for state and federal grant money to develop a 3.1-acre rectangular parcel ? just south of the Polly Ann Trail and east of Forest St. (Rochester Rd.) ? into a passive park where visitors can go to appreciate natural beauty and learn a thing or two about it.
‘We’re in the process of getting those (grant applications completed right now,? said village President Mike McDonald. ‘That’s absolutely key to the development of the property because we just don’t have a budget here capable of making those kinds of improvements without some help.?
The plan calls for an estimated $34,550 in improvements to the park and amenities including trails, fencing, picnic area, observation deck and children’s interactive area.
‘Hopefully, we’ll have a small trail system, so visitors can walk through the property,? McDonald said.
The land, purchased by the village in May 1988, consists of a mixture of wooded areas and wetlands. ‘It’s never been developed,? McDonald said.
The village’s main goal is to provide long-term care and preservation of native species living on the site while providing useful recreational and educational interactions between park users and resources.
‘Part of the overall plan is to eliminate any of the non-native species,? McDonald said. ‘There are a couple in there.?
Native flora and fauna would be identified and marked with signage offering park users descriptions of them.
An ‘interpretive trail? would be installed with several stations along the way at which park users could stop and observe the flora and fauna.
Each station would include an observation area complete with a bench and sign identifying natural features of interest and how they relate to other features on the trail, according to the plan.
McDonald said one of the first priorities, after installing fencing, would be construction of an observation deck overlooking a marsh area on the property’s north side.
A universally-accessible trail, probably a boardwalk, leading from the park’s entry to the observation deck would allow ‘anybody to sit and observe the wildlife that comes in and out of there,? according to the village president.
A children’s interactive area would be developed to challenge and familiarize kids with information about the area they live and play in.
A display area with historically representative features such as a Native American abode would be constructed along with a raised-bed planting area containing medicinal plants used by Indians in this area such as lamb’s ear, lavender, licorice plant and spearmint.
‘The raised bed will act to highlight and isolate the plantings, and also facilitate the visitors? ability to see, touch and smell the plants,? according to the plan.
A picnic area would be constructed in the park’s northern area, adjacent to the universally-accessible trail and marsh observation deck. A manually-operated water supply in the picnic area, consisting of a pitcher pump and well approved by the Oakland County Heath Division, would provide thirsty park users with a potable water source.
Given the close proximity of the Polly Ann Trail, a shallow trough to allow equine users to water their horses is also being considered.
While finding the money to develop this park is a big issue, fortunately, securing enough manpower to accomplish everything in the plan is not.
‘We have a wealth of volunteers including adults and children,? McDonald said. ‘I’m really not worried about having enough volunteers. We’ve got more help than we have money.?