Project Narrative - Elmira Township p.1 Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project

Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project – Project Narrative Elmira (Township) is located on the western border of Otsego County (See Figure 1), and thus is not located in close proximity to other Otsego County recreation amenities. Elmira Township desires to upgrade the Elmira Community Park to better serve Township residents, area residents from adjacent Warner Township (Antrim County) and visitors to the area and those passing through Elmira on M-32. This 1.4 acre park is located within Elmira Township in the unincorporated village of Elmira which is located partially in Elmira Township in Otsego County and partially in Warner Township in Antrim County. The park is located on property that was previously used as a school and was transferred to Elmira Township in 1991, after the school was closed and subsequently torn down. The main portion of the site is located on approximately ¾ of a block (See attached Figures 2). An additional small parcel to the north, which was transferred from the Otsego County Road Commission to Elmira Township on March 21, 2012, and the abandonment and transfer of the closed off road (formerly Jordan Street) and Elmira Township is currently in process. Elmira Township has also recently acquired the remainder of the block for a future expansion of the park. Elmira Township recognizes the importance of locally available recreation for the health and well-being of Township residents. The Elmira Community Park is proposed to be renovated with the updating of some older play equipment which does not comply with current playground safety standards and the addition of a number of elements to make the park universally accessible and provide recreation opportunities for a more diverse range of ages and abilities. Currently the park is used on a regular basis by a group of parents with young children, so some of the proposed improvements are designed to provide recreation/fitness opportunities for both children and adults. The proposed improvements include an accessible six foot wide paved trail which meanders through the park allowing access to the various play areas so parents and others can walk/jog the 1/7 mile circuit while supervising kids at play on the reconfigured existing swings, the existing memorial play structure, the proposed climbing rock, overhead wheels structure and web rope climbing structure. Fitness stations are planned at seven locations on concrete pads along the accessible trail. The proposed play areas, fitness stations, and benches are located immediately adjacent to the paved trail so these areas will be readily accessible. Other site enhancements include a picnic shelter, supplemental picnic tables, grills, benches and bike racks. The picnic shelter is accessible via a paved trail and will include an accessible picnic table. The existing aging trees located around the perimeter of the park will be interplanted with native trees to serve as ‘replacements’ as the older trees significantly decline or die. The proposed trees will be accompanied by identification signs to increase awareness of locally native tree species. During the park planning process, the Township was made aware of the need to upgrade some of the existing play equipment for improved safety, so the plan also includes the replacement of the spring riders with a version which meets current playground safety standards, the existing steel slide will be removed, no replacement is planned as there are two slides as part of an existing memorial play structure. The swings will be reconfigured to provide adequate spacing between swings and a full bucket tot swing will be added. All existing play areas and proposed new play areas will be supplemented with protective surfaces.

Project Narrative - Elmira Township p.2 Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project

Contact was made with the Disability Network for comments on the proposed Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project. They reviewed the project, and based on their input modifications were incorporated into the site plan to make the park use more convenient for all users. The proposed Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project incorporates playground elements and fitness stations made by Landscape Structures, Inc (or equivalent) which takes a sustainable approach by partnering with Global ReLeaf to plant trees to off-set the carbon emissions for each playground they manufacture and sell, and the company utilizes recycled and recyclable materials. The Elmira Community Park is an important part of Elmira Township, and is the source of much support and pride. A large raise landscape bed is maintained by an informal but dedicated group of volunteers. A community supported play structure was added to the park approximately 15 years ago, in memory of a local child who tragically died. It recently came to the Township’s attention that the memorial play structure needs some modifications to meet the current recommended safety standards, so the Township is planning some community volunteer days to upgrade the memorial structure during 2013. The proposed plan was discussed at numerous Township Planning Commission meetings including an advertised public meeting held on February 28, 2012, , and at an advertised Township Board meeting on March 14, 2013 for the resubmittal of the grant application. The Planning Commission recommended the plan to the Elmira Township Board for approval and submission of the MNRTF grant application for the Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project. Coordinated Township Project A parking area will be added along the soon to be abandoned portion of Jordan Street on the area to be transferred to Elmira Township from the Otsego County Road Commission. Elmira Township plans to coordinate the parking lot improvements with this Enhancement Project, but the parking improvements are not made part of this project due to the timing of the property transfer. The parking area is proposed to accommodate seven vehicles including one designated van accessible parking space. A portion of the closed off road and some sections of sidewalks will be removed in order to redevelop this transferred property to: a parking area, a seasonally located accessible restroom, landscaping and signage to be visible from M-32. Relationship to Recreation Plan Improvements to the Elmira Community Park are supported by and included in the Otsego County Community Recreation Plan 2012-2016. The accessibility needs of the park are identified on page 3-13 of the Otsego County Recreation Plan. This proposed project addresses the following stated goals and objectives (p. 5-1, Otsego County Community Recreation Plan):

Goal 1. To continue to offer a wide variety of recreational activities for all ages. The Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project offers play elements and fitness stations which will serve toddlers to seniors.

Goal 2.To improve existing recreational offerings and facilities for recreation. Objective 2C - Review existing facilities, make improvements as desired.

The Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project upgrades to the existing swings, replacement of the spring riders, as well as the addition of new recreational elements improves both the existing facilities and expands the recreational offerings.

Project Narrative - Elmira Township p.3 Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project

Goal 3. To maintain County recreational facilities and equipment

Objective 3C - Acquire new property, equipment and structures as necessary Objective 3D – Enhance current equipment and facilities as necessary

The proposed Elmira Community Park Enhancement Project, as shown on the site plan is part of a large plan which includes the acquisition of the adjacent property for future park improvements. The currently proposed project will enhance and expand the equipment and facilities available at the Elmira Community Park for the Township, western Otsego County, Warner Township and eastern Antrim County. The Otsego County Community Recreation Plan, Action Program specifically states (p.6-3):

Proposed Play structures

Proposed Fitness Stations