NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI – Northfield Township officials hope to transform a new park on Lake Whitmore into a destination for residents and visitors from across Washtenaw County.
There are five options on how to proceed on undeveloped land.
Design studies were prepared by The Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, an Ann Arbor-based landscape architecture firm, for Northfield Township Community Park. Officials plan to take action in the new year.
All potential designs call for a dedicated access point to the lake with the ability to launch kayaks and, in some designs, a public beach. Car parking areas, pavilion areas, amphitheater and toilets have also been allocated according to various concepts discussed by officials this month.
Others include the “green village” or “terraced lawn” with views of the lake.
Scroll down in the document above to see Design Concepts, or if nothing appears click here.
Some designs require an area designated for commercial development in the park, located in the North Village area north of the Post Office on Main Street in Whitmore Lake.
At a meeting on December 16, Ken Deignan, the borough superintendent, assured residents that officials had some control over the type of business there through zoning and could lease the land to a developer rather than sell it.
He said, “This does not leave the commercial land a loser for the developer.”
Funding for the park’s development got a boost in early December, when the state council announced that the borough was one of four recipients of Washtenaw County grants worth $300,000 for outdoor recreation projects. This money is for trails and parking in the park, according to the borough.
Read more: 4 biking, hiking, and park projects in Washtenaw County that target $300,000 in state grants
Township officials said they are seeking more grants and that’s part of the motivation to settle on a design concept soon.
The Northfield Parks and Recreation Board is scheduled to meet January 4 to recommend a final plan or plans to the borough council, which will then consider designs on January 20, according to the borough meeting agendas.
Dignan said the design choice provides a “framework” for officials, at the December 16 meeting, outlining what features need to be built but not exactly where they will be placed.
Officials also hope to develop trail links between North Village and Whitmore Lake North Carpool Lot, as well as a trail connecting Parker Road, Jennings Sports Complex and the park.
Residents still had a chance to influence plans. Until January 11, comments on a comment sheet can be submitted to City Council at boardmembers@northfieldmi.gov.
Township meetings for January will be held where plans will be discussed at town offices at 8350 Main Street in Whitmore Lake and will be streamed live online.
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