|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
February 22, 2006EditorialElmwood marina, park study deserves supportLeelanau County's Elmwood Township is home to some of the region's nastiest, most contentious local politics.Plenty of the township's current and former politicians don't like, trust or respect one another, and with several of them currently entangled in lawsuits and a recall effort, that personal contempt isn't about to change anytime soon. But warring factions appear capable of setting aside their squabbles for a worthwhile cause that could benefit the community and spruce up a West Bay shoreline that starves for nurturing and a little TLC. By the end of next month Elmwood officials could be poised to apply for significant state funding that would dramatically improve the Elmwood park and marina complex. Located in Greilickville, on M-22 just north of the M-72 intersection, the township-owned stretch of West Bay has plenty of potential to expand beyond a pretty decent marina and boat launch - one that's much friendlier to smaller boaters than Traverse City's wealthy-need-only-apply Clinch Park Marina and its pathetic, afterthought little boat launch. An improved Greilickville site could include a better beach area (get rid of the gaggle of geese, please), pavilion, boardwalk, play area and pedestrian access across M-22. Also in the mix is a proposed third marina dock. And we'll toss this in the consideration stew: better access for anglers who may not have a boat - some type of fishing pier structure, perhaps. The idea is to create a focal point for a community that sorely lacks such, especially along the cluttered run along M-22 from M-72 to Cherry Bend Road, an oft-ugly stretch that in its infancy could have greatly benefited from coherent zoning and foresighted planning. A facelift to the marina and park area - hashed out in recent years by the township's parks and recreation board - could go a long way to achieving a community feel, and provide visual and recreational dividends to everyone who wants more than simply a roadside view of the bay. The township just kicked in funds to complete a planning study that must accompany a pitch to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission Trust Fund, the potential revenue source to fund a bigger, better Elmwood park plan. Many township residents and officials put aside partisanship and infighting on other issues to develop recreation and water access concepts, and create a path to navigate state bureaucracy for what could be a real community jewel. They deserve support in a region that too often thinks foremost about private development at the expense of the public's right to access the natural resources that define northern Michigan.
|
|
