Casco Parks & Recreation Committee updates for November, 2025
- Julie Cowie
- Nov 13
- 2 min read
The Casco Township Parks & Recreation Committee held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday November 11, 2025. This is a summary of items discussed.
Patty Nowlin, proprietor of Martha's Vineyard Bed & Breakfast and a member of the "Visit South Haven" Accessibility Program Committee, contacted the Parks and Recreation committee Chair Andy Litts regarding grant funds that could be put toward restoring beach access. No action was taken as the Committee is still developing a plan to restore beach access.
A request for proposals to develop a plan to restore beach access has been distributed to three engineering firms. Debbie Weaver will add Prein & Newhof to the list. A proposal from Meritt Midwest Civil Engineers has been received. All proposals will be discussed at the December 9 regular Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. With a timely decision on a beach access plan, the committee hopes to pursue funding, if needed, from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund with an application in 2026. Applications for that grant program are due in April with a decision in December. Based on the grant schedule, it is necessary to secure a timeline from any engineering firm engaged to work on the project.
Debbie Weaver reported that vehicles such as golf carts and mules are traversing the beach including public areas where vehicles are not permitted. Vehicles are not permitted on the beach area in front of the Casco Township Nature Preserve.
A previously made decision to purchase two heavy trash cans for the new restrooms at the Nature Preserve was not acted upon due to the high project cost ($5500). Instead, a local craftsman has been approached to fabricate new trash cans. The current trash cans are being filled with household trash and this issue needs to be addressed through design. It is hoped that a smaller receptacle opening will prohibit large trash bags from being stuffed into the containers while still performing the function of keeping the Nature Preserve site free from trash. A design and proposal will be secured for committee review.
The Committee discussed the treatment of wetlands at the Nature Preserve. In past years, plantings were made but these were mowed down as mowing was conducted on the entire Maple Grove site. The committee did not have consensus about how to treat the wetlands, though there was openness to planting two wetland areas with wildflowers or native plants. Some committee members favored a more "manicured" approach to the Maple Grove area of the Nature Preserve while other committee members urged preservation of habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects. The committee agreed that a plan is needed for wetland areas and other planted areas. This plan will be addressed at a future meeting. The committee was informed of an upcoming webinar (Tuesday November 18 at 10:00 am) produced by EGLE on the regulation of wetlands.
The committee discussed moving regular committee meetings to the first Thursday of the month in 2026 to accommodate committee members' schedules.
The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Committee is scheduled for Tuesday December 9 at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.
