East Lansing

The first annual review of the 2007 Community Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenways plan has been completed by a committee of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. The draft 2008 update which consist of revisions to Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 of the plan were presented to the City Council on October 9th and to the Planning Commission on October 10th. The draft plan is available for review at East Lansing City Hall, the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, and the East Lansing Public Library. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Rd. to hear all who wish to comment on the proposed revisions.

2008 Parks Plan Update Committee
Members of the 2008 Parks Plan Update Committee are Parks and Recreation Advisory Commissioners Robert Uphaus, Karen Kligman and John Goddeeris. City Staff included Timothy M McCaffrey, Director of Parks, Recreation and Arts and Wendy Wilmers-Longpre, Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Arts.

Summary of Revisions
The committee began the plan review with consideration of suggestions that evolved during the public review process of the 2007 Community Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenways Plan. The proposed 2008 revisions to the plan have been confined to Chapter Four, Master Plan/Policy Statements and Chapter Five, Projects, Programs and Initiatives.

Chapter Four - Master Plan/Policy Statements

In Chapter Four the committee further developed and expanded on the policy statements.
Replaced the East Village policy statement with the Parks and Economic Development policy statement to encourage the incorporation of park facilities in economic development projects, not only in the East Village, but for any future development projects.
Added a policy statement to develop an improvement plan for Bailey Park.
Added a policy statement to develop an upgrade and improvement plan for neighborhood and pocket parks.
Added a policy statement to improve awareness of and access to recreational amenities by identifying and eliminating barriers to their use.
Added a policy statement that supports a variety of uses and balances diverse recreational needs.

Chapter Five - Projects, Programs and Initiatives

In Chapter Five, the committee identified the following seven action priorities used to determine the order that projects are listed in the Action Program.

Trails and greenways projects and planning
Maximize potential of existing facilities
Preserve and enhance natural areas and features
Use alternative funding and resources
Reduce operating costs and preserve existing assets
Develop and maintain diverse and balanced parks and recreation resources
Plan for future parks and recreation needs

The action plan was divided into an operating action program and a capital and planning action program in order of priority.

Parks, Recreation & Arts

Community Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Greenway Plan

2008 Annual Review and Update