A detailed display of future proposals for the township parks system was at the center of a public hearing earlier this month during an Orion Township Board of Trustees regular meeting.
Wade Trim representative Leah Groya gave a brief presentation and several residents spoke to the proposed Master Plan for township parks and recreation.
The Master Plan has been available for public review since the end of August and a final plan is expected to be put forth for adoption at the board’s Nov. 5 meeting.
At the heart of the new Master Plan are concept plans for the township’s four parks: Civic Center Park, Friendship Park, McConnell Field and the Gingell Nature Area.
The suggested capital improvement proposals included in the proposed plan are prioritized into short-term (1-2 years), mid-term (3-5 years), long-term (5+ years) and ongoing projects. Those involved with the Master Plan noted that carrying out the proposed project will require more detailed analysis and funding break-downs than what’s included in this preliminary plan.
Civic Center Park and Friendship Park will get the most attention, due to both the size and nature of activities at those parks, but they didn’t create the most buzz at the public hearing.
Tony Parillo was among a handful of residents from around the Gingell Nature Area to express some concerns.
‘My concern is that although putting nature trails to that area might sound like a good idea, I feel like there is access from those trails directly to my back yard,? Parillo said. ‘I feel uneasy having my kids back there if people can have access to my yard or any of the other yards in that area.?
Other issues brought up were concerns about the water, and break-ins in that area in recent months.
Members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, including Trustee John Garlicki, assured the concerned residents that they have been heard, and proposals for the nature area will be adjusted accordingly.
‘I want to assure the people in the Gingell Nature Area that none of this was designed to simply say we’re going to do something without taking your views into consideration,? said PRAC member Joe Bird.
Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk noted that drainage concerns in that area might require a special assessment district (SAD).
The presentation and subsequent hearing lasted just over 35 minutes, and the comments will be reviewed during the PRAC’s next meeting on Oct. 25, when the overall plan is expected to be finalized for board approval.
‘I do hope that if we go forward and adopt this, that this is something we as a community can actually move forward on and implement,? Bird said.