ADRIAN — A proposed five-year plan for the Lenawee County parks system has been drafted and is currently in a 30-day public review period. A public hearing will take place during the Lenawee County Commission’s November meeting, which will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the old courthouse, 301 N. Main St., Adrian.
The plan was developed following a public survey that was conducted in May and June of this year. A total of 512 responses were received.
This plan only involves the parks under the jurisdiction of the Lenawee County Parks Commission. Many other parks in Lenawee County are operated by cities, villages, townships, and the state.
The parks in the county parks system, and the priorities identified are:
— Bicentennial Park, 5600 block of Tipton Highway, Adrian. This 78-acre park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends during the rest of the year when weather permits. It includes a shelter area with grills and tables, a soccer field, a volleyball court, a softball court, and a playground area, as well as a hiking trail. The survey indicated it is the most widely used park in the county system.
The biggest projects in the five-year plan for Bicentennial Park are an inclusive playground and a pickleball court.
— Gerber Hill Park, 14360 Carroll Road, Blissfield. This 40-acre park is open year-round and is a popular spot for sledding in the winter. It includes wooded trails, a pond, a picnic shelter with grills and tables, playground equipment, and facilities for soccer, baseball, volleyball, horseshoe and basketball.
Major projects listed in the five-year plan include a musical playground, pickleball court, and various improvements to the pavilions.
— Iron Lake Park, 12000 block of Egan Highway, Brooklyn. This 1-acre park provides access to Iron Lake.
The one project listed for Iron Lake Park is improved signage.
— Medina Park, 9000 Warwick Road, Morenci. This 40-acre park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends during the rest of the year when weather permits. It has two picnic shelters with grills and tables as well as a softball field and playgrounds, and also allows fishing access to Bean Creek.
The two biggest projects listed in the five-year plan for Medina Park are new playground equipment and replacing the existing basketball court with a multi-purpose court for basketball and pickleball.
— Taylor Road Park, corner of Taylor Road and Carson Highway, Tecumseh. This 80-acre park is largely undeveloped and is a habitat for wildlife, with a trail system for hiking, biking and cross country skiing.
The five-year plan calls for additional trails and improved signage.
— Ramsdell Park, 1957 Glen Hill Highway, Clayton. This 180-acre park is open all year and includes a shelter area with grills, tables and a central fireplace, playground equipment, and native prairie trails that are suitable for hiking and cross-country skiing. The plan calls for new playground improvement as well as maintenance on the house, garage and barn on the property.
The plan may be read by clicking here.
