Community Recreation Plan DRAFT Village of Elk Rapids
TABLE OF CONTENTS..............................................................................................................................I
A. COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................... 1
1. THE COMMUNITY RECREATION PLAN ............................................................................................. 1
2. THE VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS ......................................................................................................... 1
3. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ELK RAPIDS................................................................................................... 1
4. POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................................................................... 3
5. HOUSEHOLDS AND HOUSEHOLD INCOME ....................................................................................... 6
6. EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT TRENDS .................................................................................... 8
7. DISABILITIES ................................................................................................................................... 8
8. HOUSEHOLDS WITH OLDER AND YOUNGER MEMBERS.................................................................... 8
9. LAND COVER AND LAND USE IN THE VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS .................................................... 14
10. GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY........................................................................................................ 16
11. WATER RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................... 16
a) Surface Water ............................................................................................................................... 16
b) Groundwater................................................................................................................................. 20
12. FISH AND WILDLIFE ...................................................................................................................... 21
13. SOILS AND VEGETATION ............................................................................................................... 21
14. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.......................................................................................................... 22
15. CLIMATE ....................................................................................................................................... 24
16. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES .............................................................................................................. 27
17. ZONING ......................................................................................................................................... 29
B. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE............................................................................................. 32
1. VILLAGE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE ........................................................................................... 32
2. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION ............................................................................................ 32
3. HARBOR COMMISSION................................................................................................................... 33
4. BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION ..................................................................................................... 33
5. PLANNING COMMISSION................................................................................................................ 33
6. ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS .................................................................................................................. 33
7. OPERATION OF VILLAGE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.................................................................... 34
8. OPERATIONAL BUDGET ................................................................................................................. 34
9. INTER-AGENCY RELATIONS .......................................................................................................... 35
10. RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF VILLAGE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.......... 35
C. RECREATION INVENTORY...................................................................................................... 36
1. COMMUNITY RECREATION INVENTORY ........................................................................................ 36
2. REGIONAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES ...................................................................................... 36
3. SERVICE AREAS OF INVENTORIED FACILITIES ............................................................................... 41
4. COMMUNITY BARRIER-FREE COMPLIANCE STATUS ...................................................................... 41
5. MICHIGAN DNR FUNDING STATUS FOR VILLAGE FACILITIES....................................................... 42
D. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS..................................................................... 43
1. PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ..................................................................................................... 43
2. PLAN DEVELOPMENT STAFF.......................................................................................................... 43
3. PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS AND RESULTS .......................................................................................... 45
a) Elk Rapids Master Plan Opinion Survey ...................................................................................... 45
b) Youth (Elementary School) Survey ............................................................................................... 46
c) High School Focus Group ............................................................................................................ 47
d) Public Input Session ..................................................................................................................... 48
4. PLANNING RESULTS ...................................................................................................................... 49
E. RECREATION GOALS ................................................................................................................50
1. THE 2000 RECREATION GOALS ..................................................................................................... 50
2. RELEVANCE OF THE RECREATION GOALS TODAY ......................................................................... 50
3. THE 2006 RECREATION GOALS ..................................................................................................... 50
F. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULE AND ACTION PLAN........................................... 52
1. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULE AND ACTION PLAN ............................................................... 52
2. BRIDGE STREET BOAT LAUNCH PUMP-OUT STATION.................................................................... 56
3. UPPER HARBOR DOCKAGE ADDITIONS ......................................................................................... 58
4. VETERANS PARK BATHROOM........................................................................................................ 60
5. VILLAGE ICE SKATING RINK ......................................................................................................... 62
6. GRACE MEMORIAL HARBOR EXPANSION ...................................................................................... 64
7. VILLAGE PARK EQUIPMENT UPGRADES ........................................................................................ 66
8. ELK RIVER (4TH STREET) ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS ........................................................................ 68
9. ELK RIVER (ROTARY PARK) ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS .................................................................. 70
10. FISHING PARK (DAM) PARKING LOT AREA IMPROVEMENTS ......................................................... 72
11. SECOND STREET PARKLAND (NOBLE PINES AREA) STUDY........................................................... 74
12. SUPPORT FOR NORTH-SOUTH NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL PROJECT .................................................. 76
13. WALKING/JOGGING AND FITNESS PATHS IN VILLAGE ................................................................... 78
APPENDIX B. RECREATION FACILITY-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS 2005 ELK RAPIDS MASTER PLAN OPINION SURVEY ..................................................................................................... 82
1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 82
2. RECREATION FACILITY-RELATED QUESTIONS............................................................................... 82
3. WRITE-IN COMMENTS TO THE FACILITY-ORIENTED QUESTIONS ................................................... 85
4. WRITE-IN FACILITY REQUESTS (QUESTION 141)........................................................................... 89
5. GENERAL COMMENTS FOR PARKS & RECREATION ....................................................................... 91
APPENDIX C. YOUTH (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL) SURVEY .................................................... 96
1. NEED FOR A YOUTH SURVEY ........................................................................................................ 96
2. AREA PARK USAGE FREQUENCY................................................................................................... 97
3. WHICH PARKS ARE USED MOST FREQUENTLY? ........................................................................... 97
4. ACTIVITIES IN THE PARKS ............................................................................................................. 98
5. WRITE-IN PARK FACILITY REQUESTS............................................................................................ 98
6. SURVEY FORM............................................................................................................................... 99
APPENDIX D. PUBLIC NOTICES, RESOLUTIONS, AND TRANSMITTAL LETTERS ....... 101
Table of Contents Page