Highlights of May Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee meeting

The Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee met on Tuesday May 13 at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall.

In correspondence, Chair Andy Litts will respond to a Wood TV Channel 8 inquiry about the status of the beach stairs at the Casco Township Nature Preserve. The beach stairs have been removed after erosion damage several years ago, resulting in hazardous disrepair.

The Committee is working on restoring access to the beach. An initial step is having an environmental impact study completed that focuses on "hydrology, biology, and soils," as reported by Committee member Paul Macyauski. LRE, the firm hired to conduct the study, was on site at the Nature Preserve last week. It is hoped the report will be completed by the June Committee meeting.

Trees at risk of dropping limbs have been identified at the Nature Preserve. Brian Ridley, who works for Casco Township, will be contacted about his capacity to remove them; otherwise, bids will be solicited. Ridley will also repair the fencing at the Preserve after the Board of Trustees approved spending $1500 for necessary supplies for the project.

The new bathroom at the Nature Preserve will be opened pending repair of a faucet sensor. Signage has been installed and the improper grade of a section of sidewalk has been repaired, marking the project complete. A cleaning service is slated to clean the restrooms at the Preserve twice a week. The bathrooms will automatically lock when the Preserve is closed.

At First Street beach access, willows will be trimmed and damaged trees were noted and will be watched.

At the Township Hall, the pickleball net was installed. Correspondence was received about the benches and tables in disrepair around the area. The Committee will purchase at least one wooden picnic table for the site based on a review of prices scheduled for the next meeting. Unstable furnishings, apparently brought to the site by residents, will be disposed of.

Other correspondence included complaints about overly bright lighting at the Township Hall and the Nature Preserve. Security concerns about the new restroom and the need for lighting were discussed. The lighting at the Township Hall will be discussed with the Township Supervisor Allan Overhiser.

Trustee Mary Campbell reported that the Township Board is open to working with the Allegan County Community Foundation to establish a fund to benefit Township projects. A plan is needed; it was determined that a design to restore access to the beach is a key part of any fundraising strategy. The Committee will wait to pursue a fundraising plan until LRE generates a biddable drawing for the proposed project.

All members of the committee were present (Andy Litts, Debbie Weaver, Matt Super, Libby Catt, Paul Macyauski, Mary Campbell (Trustee)) except secretary Kelly Hecker, whose work schedule prevented her attendance.

The Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee meets the second Tuesday of every month