EAST LANSING, Mich. — The City of East Lansing’s draft 2020 Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenways Plan is available for public review and comment through Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The purpose of the five-year plan is to assess the needs of the community for parks, recreation, open space and greenway facilities, programs and services. The plan also identifies the actions to be taken to improve and maintain these facilities and services for the next five years.
A five-year plan is required by the State of Michigan for the City to be eligible for funds through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) matching grant programs. A significant portion of the City’s existing park system exists today because of grant funding support from the MDNR: https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/896/Michigan-Natural-Resources-Trust-Fund.
Community support has also been instrumental in improvements to East Lansing’s park system, with voter approval of three bond initiatives since 1995 and generous individual, organizational and corporate contributions for various projects. Additionally, voter approval of the Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage has resulted in important improvements to the City’s Northern Tier Trail and bridges along the trail: https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/2017/Ingham-County-Trails-and-Parks-Millage.
As the City looks to the future, community members are encouraged to be a part of the planning process for East Lansing’s park system by reviewing and sharing feedback on the draft 2020 Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenways Plan. The plan can be found online at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/800/Community-Parks-Recreation-Plan and printed copies are available for review at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, and the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road.
Community members can share comments and/or suggestions by contacting the East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts’ administrative office at (517) 319-6809 or by sending an email to parks@cityofeastlansing.com. There will also be a public hearing on the plan at the East Lansing Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission’s meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.