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Home My WebLink AboutAgendas/Packets - 1971.01.29 - 39524oakland county service center Frances Clark Chairman John L. Carey Vice -Chairman Velma Austin Secretary • Daniel W. Barry Thomas J. Dillon Clarence A. Durbin Sol D. Lomerson James L. Reid E. Frank Richardson Henry A. Schiffer Commissioners • Kenneth L. Van Natta Director • Gerard C. Lacey Assistant Director • Pauline McCormick Adm. Assistant • COMMISSIONPARKS AND RECREATION 2800 watkins lake road pontiac, michigan 338-6196 January 22, 1971 To the Members of the PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Oakland County, Michigan Ladies and Gentlemen: A meeting has been called of the PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION as follows: TIME .......... 9:30 a.m. Friday, January 29, 1971 PLACE......... Parks and Recreation Office 2800 Watkins Lake Road Pontiac, Michigan 48054 PURPOSE....... Special Meeting The meeting is called in accordance with authori- zation of Frances Clark, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. KLV:slw Cordially, Kenneth L. Van Natta OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA January 29, 1971 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of minutes of January 15, 1971 4. Decision on acquiring Natural Study Area in Bloomfield Township 5. Huron -Clinton Metropolitan Authority review 6. Election of Officers 7. New Business 8. Adjourn PUP �IJoJ Bill to Increase HCMA Millage The Huron -Clinton Metropolitan Authority was established by ' the legislature in 1939, with five county referendum approval in 1940. Its primary function has been to build and operate regional parks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties. Presently, there are nine developed parks totalling 11, 800 acres in the system with some 8, 800, 000 visitors in 1970. Additional parks are in land acquisition or initial development stages. The Authority is financed by a 1/4 mill property tax on the state equalized valuation throughout the five counties. Year by year, as existing parks are improved and new parks are opened, a larger and larger proportion of the Authority's income goes just to operate the park system. In 1970 the Authority received 84, 600, 000 from taxes and $870, 000 from operating revenues. Administration operations and maintenance cost $4, 000, 000. The Authority needs an additional quarter mill property tax to carryout its plans to develop at least three new major parks in the five county area over the next fifteen years and to lease and rebuild Belle Isle. During this time the five county population is expected tc, approach six million People and, with our ever increasing leisure, mobility and affluence, the need for regional parks will more than double. The voters in the district should be given the opportunity to decide whether they are willing to pay for an expanded metropolitar. park system. It is imperative that action be initiated now before suitable park land is either no' longer available or becomes prohibitively expensive. City of Detroit voters, in the 1970 primary, approved the eventual leasing of Belle Isle Park to the Aathority-, "subject to a possible county millage increase of a maximum quarter mill". A property tax increase is proposed as this tax can most readily and fairly be applied to a five county area. A quarter mill tax for a representative taxpayer with a $20, 000 house 'assessed at $10, 000 would be $Z. 50 per year. N on ? of Art 140' 147 0£ the blir Acts bill to. amend sects Clinton °f tt�e uron- ,- of �q39, ea�title� ration aynes . ®r the incorpotthe countie8hpf or certain ®f xovide f er$n� c® t for Plannango t®An; act to P authority; to and a ton, a�' dis c etroPoli 9n�ivin g �a etxopolitan txi o 't "Vithout a�htena acting' or to loin in constr Wit.Y'in access such counties9 or for act"ixan atin,: � e or Bite and ro oting' taining and op drivesa �� collection P eloPan�a aan se, connecting ,. ,vient' levy' ante of revenue de'eloping, Park the iss'� vide ass their lion rovide fox theOro for and to Pro hiShways g t®P therefor f to P roreedin�se of - taxes condemnation P reMT11 to Proyade bonds ® to a'sth°rhe e of lg4s; an ��,.f0geYad.n"$ th£%ra°�f 'a being gection ®f the COMP" Laws • IGIC�� CT gerend,am@ OF �� a x OF `E STA l�� °f the public pacts Cps n l� section of Act N Bectro 54 of the CornPalad 1.,aWs °f . being section 1 l9 of 1939 d ae follows: 'axPoes is amended to rea signers may levy for the P -j'F Sec- I ec®? a C Ornln s Ql � Th ®f n°t,more than r°Peaty ®f of the Auth°raty a tax assessed value of the P of the es or each dollar the $°tal tax °n oar ascertain ill P ct -ll,e � d shall asce ° snda� tne$euP°r. �ertiiy the distrz an d a°x azi year S of each Co'anty ,ion rewire lSs1G • �a 1'"vP" .ems- GG� e such to the 50ard of � ecessary tax rate. to rays district the n c�* and shall take into ConaPri.sin� the ohs distra cka in t, Which. shall '°a unif®rn� al assessed valuatir�ra of ea axt� s argaoun t of all Prog a to derataon the ratio that the total ass to values ssess- consa the to according,the ast a r s to 1 County bea to 1 be asses xospertive district P al in said entire p,11 taxes sha .real ones Pars®�' G°°'ntaes- active nder the general each of said gasp ed as Gounty tares u ment an rti.ng officer collected and return tax colle cone collected by any levied' one'Y cone shall be arty tax law` A11 Provisions of this $action Act. Pgop d ,ndeg the p` s ovidad 'n thes A ire tax le-Vied rsed a P fgo;n the Al,hority to be daslsu r ose s shall be the same a transmitted to e district Pu P n r th naval la`v• taxati° for the 'the subjects of sch�csa pVrPose' "°`rse> ice e,fect until it is G ounty and r;ot take fo'r state toxy aCt shall voting thereon •l'�.is a•�enda of the ciistxict Sects®n Z° ¢n� alect°rs , :� tha mannar TOWNSHIP OF ROYAL OAK 21075 WYOMING AVE. FERNDALE. MICHIGAN 48220 LINCOLN 1-5800 January 27, 1971 TO: Oakland County Park Commission Francis Clark, Chairman Tien Vannetta, Director FROH: Ernest tiWilson, Recreation Lirector RE: Joint meeting Royal Oak Township Park Corimission requests a Joint meeting with your colmlzission, concerning CD Royal Oak Township's .fate Hecreation Bond Proposal. We will appreciate a meeting date as soon as possible. Ernest Wit on' Director cc: Mlarion Henderson Commnission Secretary oull 013 5tpv%ol C, cy, 'oft? "l-TV-0 ott) t4,v tl A, xSSIS c, Ivor; Go'gro Ouse 'I Coos OU14-, CO ROAD eGfk ONV�`PtA" 0 A, Tf-l- 4SO-33 200 potA llAc, 3.36.A75' 16, 19,11 EATRICK ,.ROPM AS �STAxT tt'a C- ati0n cI of V�� nd. CO the 08L- p-dL pntyac Dead Nor , Uaa is aL Op05 05p- 09 EncCo y 0 OID- Of e -,CY t-c the illy ti -y-e5ol JLG/ah PROPOSED DP reviewed the status ter the commission bas Company, :�-Ocbes EREAS t Hotelthe VC)Odf- Ord Y�Partmerl . a land in W3-tb concerning conr of negotiationsColnpanY Apartment Company and Searwooc Brea ilaportance e- and ependenc , t of 9 of -,nd n deems I negotiations Towns'h3-p W�IERBIAS the C 01nmi 5 5 io of said property which is the subjectthat t -he commission the IT RESOLVED t ratio. Counsel to to acql)-Ire Corpora NOV TlIERv�"EORE BE Inty -y-jal-id COL r ty revue the office Of the 0a Cqiajre Said P-rope Prepare con�demna-t'on roceedings to Report on request for County Parks and Recrea- tion Commission to purchase land in Bloomfield Township as nature study area and arboretum. The leaders of this group have been active in sup- porting our millage votes both times, and I personally feel indebted to them and would like to assist their efforts. Unfortunately, they did not follow what I thought was good advice and have pursued the route of least resistance by requesting the Parks Commission to acquire this land. I have walked this land and it is everything they say. It is obvious that the use of it would lend itself more for a nature or environmental study area than a park for people such as we operate. This type recreational activity almost should be operated by a school or com- bined school systems, inasmuch as the most use is for educational purposes, many of which are tied directly to curriculums. For the information of the Commission, For -Mar at Genesee County was a gift, plus the help from the Mott Foundation, the cost of acquisition was nothing. To properly develop this nature center they are projecting a cost of 3/4 million dollars. When developed they are estimating a yearly operating budget of $100,000. They now receive money from the County general fund for the Page 2 (Bloomfield Township - Land) operation, and it is expected it will be the general fund of the County that pays for the development. Once again it is obvious that For -Mar and what is being requested of us have tremendously different problems, not the least is the financial aspect. We do not have the type or amount of financing that would be necessary for this type of recreational activity in our Parks system. This may change in the future. It would be my suggestion that we advise this group that we can not help them in the manner that they request, but we could endeavor to help them any other way possible. It is my belief that they are dedicated in saving our resources not only at this site but throughout the County. They should be commended and encouraged. Ke neth Van Nat KLV:slw jStatement presented to Oakland County Parks and Recreation i Department, Jan. 15, 1971. The dense wooded area north of Interstate 75, between Adams and Squirrel Roads, is a small sample of the hardwood forests which once covered much of this part of Michigan. Surrounded by suburban subdivisions and superhighway, it continues its own existence following the rules of nature. Such natural areas are rapidly disappearing from southern Oakland County and each remaining one deserves to be con- sidered for preservation. The area (see Figs. 1 and 2) is about 150 acres and ranges in elevation from 650 to 900 feet above sea level. About half the acreage is occupied by second -growth oak woods, but other typical habitats are also represented. These include beech woods, open fields, and marshy stream bottomland. Each of these will be considered in turn. The oak woodland is believed to.represent a subclimax or next -to --last step in the vegetational succession in southern Michigan. Although not a true climax, this habitat type predominates among the remaining hardwood forests of the state. Red oak and white oak are the commonest trees in this area with other species such as sassafrass, Amer- ican hornbeam, and red maple scattered throughout. Shrubs such as dogwood are found in the less densely wooded parts or in small clearings. Much of the oak woods presents a cathedral aspect with a high canopy and not much woody undergrowth. Small herbaceous plants cover the ground here. The spring wildflower display in such an area can be spec- tacular. This whole area was apparently clear -logged over thirty years ago and then was left alone to recover to its present state. This second growth shows only minor disturbances, a network of trails, an old fence, a small amount of litter and scattered stumps where some small trees were recently cut. The woods shows all signs of being healthy enough to recover quickly from these intrusions. In one small area the woods are dominated by a stand of medium-sized beech trees. Although these represent the climax of vegetational succession for southern Michigan, beech woods are generally uncommon in Oakland County. Four open fields are distributed near the corners of the area. They are of different origins and are in different successional stages. The southeast field, adjoining Adams Road, is grassy and contains a small parking area. It has apparently been kept open by periodic mowing. The southwest field resulted from a relatively recent excavation for the construction of Interstate 75. It is.now in a very early stage of recovery with weedy cover and some bare spots. The maps show the location of the streams and marsh. These streams are part of the upper reaches of the River Rouge and are live through the year. The major flow is from southwest to northeast with a smaller side branch joining from the north. The marsh itself surrounds the main stream. It is an old one nearly dry but not yet invaded by trees. The wet areas are in a beautiful ravine with a steep, 40-foot, south side. The marsh presents a vivid contrast to the surrounding woods especially when viewed from the sideslopes. Natural areas are integrated, coordinated systems. Allarts are necessary for the proper functioning of the whole. The land just described is an integrated natural area and can offer ecological lessons as well as inspiration to visitors with open minds. if the area is preserved, this opportunity will not be lost. Prof. Jeffrey A. Greenhouse Chemistry Department and Environmental Studies Program Oakland University Rochester, Michigan ��ntiQ 2t� . _ S L ti 7 tZs S2i�,� ^1'I �z`'`L � � a��,�c 3 �cz '� 'C 1 1 puerl 30 saznY 1 1 _ U7o warjorie m. waiter 344-5055 Date i jaD. 11, 1971 From; Marjorie M. Wal%er Subje"0 _P.roposal that Oakland County (Parts Commission) negotiate with owners and purchase in fee simple someall, acrea of land (natural area) north of 1-75 access road and west of Adams foad,, 'D�' 1S DESTINED TO BECOME PROGRESSIVELY URBANIZE_,,D Datrait 722_nor Comp=ny'a 20 ynTr projections of rasi dential ponor donands sham almost continuous urbx�-_, Anvelopmont as far north as Bay City, inevitably, open spacs nil! diminish and natural areas, except those set aside for preservation by govarnment or private agency) Will diSapp2ar in the last 20 years, the city of Birmingham has seen all its htbding lots disappear. Except for park -land acquired by the city. is The same trends extend to all of th2 soutbern part of the county, MIMLAGE FOR ACQUISITION OF PP.-KS WELL-SUPPCRTED 1N TNE SCUPHERN PART 0,7 TT�7L 7or good reasonsF costs are rising. We %noy open space is disappearing. WG know we do not want to be left vith no place to get away from urban pressures,. We are Rware.that regional outlooks frather than isolated comounity attitudes) ar�l, required if thean nezdx are to be met, 7=0SIT FROM COUNTY RESIDEMBS We recuumend that the PFrks Commission of Oakland County S2ek to aequire this specific natural area which lies W211 south of M-59 and is 2asily MCSSSQ12 tO all partS Of the CoUnty SQCa it adjacent to i-75. We further recommend that the woodland. the wet meadoy, the river and gOrge COMPOS2 a natUYIS preserve and arboratum to be operated by th2 coumt'-_, as Bn anvironmental learning facility similar, in part, to Genesee county"s 355-acre facijity known as For -Mar, WE AM! SUGGESTING TH9T TH], S 1-54 COULD OPERATE EFFECTIVELY AND SHOULD HAVQ 1 . An interpretive center, 2. Adequate staff, including a naturalAst, 3. Summer seminars,, Teachor work -shops Co-op with universities for credit,. 4. Shou3d offer instruction and guiding to public, 5. Provide other programs such as Scout, Fathe-..- and son. family -- as part of a specific natQre study program devised and run bi a naturalist, -;-1R,T1NG TO APPRECIATE AND CARE FOR OUR NATUR&L, ENVIRONMENT IS PROMTNENT TN THIS PLAN, 1T WOULn OBVIOUS7,� PROVIDE INOTHER FORM OF RECREATION 1N OUR COUNTY BYSTEM,, waiter 7, INTEREST 1N MATTERS CONCERNING THE EN1IRON47NT IS FVIDFHT IN SOUTH OAKLAND COUNTY, Organizations such as League of Women Voters�. A.&.U.W., and all youth groups are turninZ their attention to examining r)ur world � learning hot, to conserve our natural areas. Mool systems are Wa!Uating their teaching methods to find ways to incDrporate study of the environment, CAKLRND COUNTY CAN SURVE ITS RESIDENTS' NEEDS BY CREATING AN !MPORTANT RESOURCE OF THIS WOODLAND� will not long remain. The time is n= December 23, 1970 Oakland County Parks Commission 2806 Watkins Lake Road Pontiac, Michigan Dear Commissioners: A committee of Oakland county residents, interested in the preservation of natural lands and in the use of such lands as environmental study facilities, is desirous of appearing before your commission at your January meeting to discuss a particular utheast Oakland ief that natural area in 170acresomeris merits your serioour us sconsider- this natural area ation as a county park facility. We have had (with the gracious permission of the owner) the south portion (55 acres) of the 170 acres carefully appraised by many area naturalists. They are unanimous in their opinion that the mature woods and the bog present an excellent possibility for a natural area park. In the northern portion are included a headwater river, deep ravines and a profusion of wildflowers in a dense woods. Those members of this committee who are residents of Bloom- field township have proposed that the township help acquire the natural area. There is a mounting interest in parkland among Bloomfield township residents. Mr. Homer Case, township Super- visor, (at a meeting of residents voicing a variety of recre- tional needs) stated that the township would volunteer to assume policing of such a natural area park. We realize our request to appear at your coming meeting is precipitous, but we feel that this presents a rare opportunity, and time is of the essence since part of the 170 acres is now in litigation with a petition for re -zoning to permit multiple development. Among the Outdoor Educationalists urging the acquisition of this land for a county natural areas park are Mr. Edwin Wichert, Director of Recreation and Adult Education and Mr. Don Hollums, o eld Hills gentlemenhavenhikednthir this area asthe ohas1Schools. Mr. Kenneth TheseVanNatta. These Also keenly interested in its use as an.environmental teaching area, school camp facility and.a passive nature preserve are Alice McCarthy, chairman of a survey committee appointed by the Board of Education, Birmingham School System to evaluate a ten -acre natural area at Bingham Farms, and Marjorie M. Walker, member -Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board. Mrs. Walker was instrumental in estab- lishing Bir-minghamts Manor Park Nature Preserve. Both are among those who have hiked this area as Bettye Benjamen has escorted naturalists on tours through this woods. -2- All members of this committee, which presently numbers twelve, have extensive contacts in organizations in this area that have already evidenced interest in promoting a natural area park. Our committee will willingly undertake additional com- munity -relations promotions. We would be grateful for your permission to make a pre- sentation by this committee at your January meeting of the Parks Commission. Yours sincerely, BettyL6 Benjamen ) Marjo ie M. Walker THE FOR -MAR NATURE PRESERVE AND ARBORETUM Environmental Studies Center For -Mar was presented to the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission through a generous gift by Mrs. Forbes K. Merkley and a grant from the Mott Foundation on February 23, 1968. Future use of the property is restricted to education and cultural activities by provisions of the deed. The 355-acre area includes a variety of habitats in the form of wild meadows, re- cently cultivated fields, fence rows, scattered open grown trees, wet marshes, dry marshes, flood plain, steep creek banks, springs, upland woods, a winding section of Kearsley Creek and several ox-bow ponds. Three roads that bound the area are Davison on the south, Genesee on the west and Potter on the north. Such a large parcel of land within a mile of Flint's eastern border is fast becoming a "green island" in a sea of urban development. Its future worth as open space is difficult to estimate in terms of today's monetary values. The For -Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum has been divided into four areas to facilitate planning and development to meet community needs: • Nature Preserve - 205 acres • Special Education Area - 27 acres • Arboretum - 100 acres 9 Land Laboratory - 13 acres The Nature Preserve will be used year around for environmental education and re- search by schools, colleges and the general public through the use of trails, trail - side exhibits, demonstrations, observation points, labels and other devices. An interpretive building will be needed as a focal point, office, place for orientation and shelter during inclement weather. The Arboretum will be a living collection of plants made up largely of trees and shrubs grown for study and popular interest. The Arboretum at For -Mar will fea- ture trees, shrubs and woody vines native to Michigan. The Special Education Area will be land and facilities for visually, mentally and physically handicapped persons and those in special education classes of schools or institutions. The Land Laboratory is conceived as an area to be used by school children for first-hand experiences related to working, digging, and measuring soil and land as well as activities dealing with geology and wood study. In 1969 the following activities have been completed to prepare For -Mar for future educational and cultural use and to protect it from fire and unauthorized use: • Fences -- Built - 9, 225 feet; repaired - 9, 400 feet; removed - 10 miles. • The Kearsley Creek bridge decking was rebuilt and treated with preservative. • A one-way gravel road, about one and one-half miles in length, was con- structed across For -Mar between Potter and Genesee Roads. • Five sets of double gates were installed as follows: --5360 East Potter Road; 2150 North Genesee Road; End of Alcott Road; End of Statler Road; and End of the east line fence at Davison Road. BE a lax ge e -gar t o ed into were one and sb,ap os that locate°n reek two sit single slej s and ed to a of dear . snxface Wilding �,ov side it`n a th r d .was west ter w lts aep fxoYn fiat P�ttex R°a on the Tt;e wa nd and e dike ,Ole e Ynarsb esting the gxouilt °n th aabry farms a ion knoll in the ertowl derneatt' being t' °bser d was d' g d for 'gat from vn A txai}• is d to catchar an culax p°ride an isla the pond tunes. lanne For-� ation A cox o Px°V e enters tl,watex acres wascaxnex e obserease s° as of one ac feet at bond• of ' 4$ theastexnubble in ch to �ncr be a �acbes el Oeu as the P surface ers n th to°� per d exsi°rid 1 hate to x .h lux °sed 0 acr sed of a er an vahlc ,Kith a-9 o ab°mot oVea and a aiggin wet weath f wildlife. _p, p° od f .vj ate o 1 w ex e o he dikeea y cold de c°� er or nt the Sod and Con txa °a wex.�topp acted to px°�� sand to Pa11 fences, knoll ex,bed nzs�n' e constr Y�i1�er along lain . t'ae pleted nett s gh Piles were ails fox f 8t-W e hoe c eek l�°d p he control c° bar of bx'a e grassyixe, str1Pes� axd t line wLt ails e5 p, nn Ve wld of wild or g 111 urxea ilnl tvxe tx e Yneas x In oraexe ox spredea ao 'aaVI reas, rnawere cu ong aa °ads and Title stx''ct'ax ® entcenrows, w°° ad elan d fog safety al rk proPext� �ipent na dx g fen dozen deease an -faanother FX 0' . ag with e� arx°•w a ® se�eutch el'a ass ed fx° rig °f 6 haled allow dy5c h of Dxage ar w d has an °exha actor was pacsco°p, p A g 30 an or d tx on bl on 24' x a M°del aA wer wag ea for 1g�0 n to the P bpottexvlce A'as�aes a rota aye Plann rill ope 5360 Ea the ser . Ana x°w. and ser`r�ces d p,xb°xe b• �e gad Places. along e�exal h activities Fresex wi.V.Vbe th a O'adesignate aeyenas•xo iaed °n tie foll°wing 1�aratnre nuance the grass certain wwill be P T The F°x� 1g�0. w lbe on e p'�1'lic °acted tours ® I L r p d Parking e open to aria coed Road an er`re wild be alab 11 be cortinuea- °ae 1�at'xxeking txalls w�l ex'a cleanup w� asis- ® Title o d basis- and gen day'week 1i a sched rail clea�Lng' on a se ing� en- ® tube continued ct• p atr°1 wl tion) c°nta o t1onal inforl�, a Grief Or for .add' shbaugh, er�ices ecxeati°n43503 .Byrono anc a ks rid �icbigan �Utdo ee Cour yeet, Fl Geo3 �eac3 $t"IS1 5�5 12 31 -2- Fhone