Brandon Twp.- Local officials hope to score a homerun soon for the planned 47-acre park at the corner of Hadley and Oakwood roads.
Park committee members Tom Stowell and Fred Waybrant have been working for months on plans for the park that was purchased in the fall of 2004, as well as ways to raise funds to make construction happen.
Their visions for the park, which include soccer/multi-purpose, baseball, softball and t-ball fields, a playground, pavilions, an educational tree library, and hiking trails, is getting closer to reality, particularly with two new sources of possible income: a grant and a park club.
Stowell will apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the state of Michigan after the board approved pursuit of the grant at their May 1 meeting. Less than $1,000,000 is available statewide for funds through this grant, however, Stowell says the criteria fits the township perfectly.
The grant is for actual development of park and recreation facilities and Stowell says the township is looking to receive a grant in the $50,000-$75,000 range, which they would match with money from the park fund.
‘We haven’t decided what it should be used for, but we’re looking at the playground, ballfields, and infrastructure? buildings, roads and parking lots,? Stowell said. ‘I think our chances are good. It’s extremely competitive, but you have a better chance when you haven’t gotten a grant before. This would be our first time for this particular grant.?
The township must apply by July 1 and a public hearing must be conducted, which Stowell says is planned for the next board meeting, June 5.
The grant would be available in 2007, which is also when play is expected to begin on soccer fields which are expected to be leveled this year.
Brandon Recreation Director Waybrant is also hoping for a windfall in the form of enrollments in the ‘Build a Park Club,? run by the Ortonville Rotary Club. Rotarians request a $100 donation for an annual membership in the club, all proceeds of which will go to development of the park.
‘If we could get 900 people to join the club at a cost of $100 per year we would have no problem moving forward on the park much quicker than anticipated,? said Waybrant, who says he would really like to see at least 500 members join. These members would have either a brick in their name, or, their name etched into a sign at the park.
The official park club kick off was April 25.
‘People should join to enable youngsters to have a quality playing atmosphere and enable citizens to have a passive park atmosphere, a place to take dogs, walk, and relax,? Waybrant said. ‘It could be a future place for art in the park. We have no place like that now… If the Build a Park Club takes off, baseball, soccer and a passive park can all become a reality next year.?
Current plans call for ground to be broken this spring for soccer fields, and play to begin next fall. Waybrant expects the Planning Commission to approve a final blueprint for the park at their May 9 meeting.