|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
March 11, 2005Park ideas encouragedAccess will be improved as part of grantByRecord-Eagle staff writer GRAYLING - Residents with notions about how to improve the city park must soon submit their ideas. Local leaders say they're looking for advice on how to spend a $350,000 state grant on the city park in downtown Grayling. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded the money to make park improvements, with the city contributing $115,000 from the local income tax fund. City Manager Allen Lowe said the grant will cover a rest room facility, additional parking spaces, a fishing pier, a canoe launch area and boardwalks on either side of the AuSable River, as well as a replacement footbridge over the river to make it handicapped accessible. "Since we're doing this work, we're asking if there's anything else we should do," Lowe said. Suggestions so far include replacing the fence around the playground, adding drinking fountains and perhaps a small ice-skating rink for young children. Mary Ann Ferrigan, chairwoman of the Grayling Parks and Recreation Committee, said improving park access is the most important part of the project, with new pathways and a better parking lot. Installing a new footbridge that is closer to the water's surface is also necessary, Ferrigan said. Children now dive from the existing footbridge into the river during summer months. "And they just lowered the river's depth by a foot, so it's not very safe," Ferrigan said. Design work on the $465,000 park improvement project is under way and Lowe said the work likely won't begin until August, after the canoe marathon in July. "I have a suspicion that we may have to finish a few things next summer, but most of it should be done this year," Lowe said. The city council will consider the final project plans in April before the DNR signs off on changes that stem from public input. Suggestions can be mailed to Grayling City Hall, 1020 City Blvd., Grayling, MI 49738, or faxed to (989) 348-6752.
|
|
