Recreation Department

A dedicated staff under the direction of the Grosse Ile Recreation Commission continued to build on the department’s tradition of quality customer service. In addition to existing services, the department offered many new programs, made improvements to facilities, and worked cooperatively with other township departments and community groups with the purpose providing opportunities that benefit all residents.

Throughout the year, the staff and commission utilized the recently completed community and farm master plans as guides for action. These valuable documents represent multiple public input opportunities where residents identified the essential recreational needs of the community for the next five years and beyond.

Programs

Known as a strong programming department, the staff and commission responded to resident requests for the development of new outdoor educational programs, extended after school activities, and additional youth and adult enrichment offerings.

In December, the staff received notification that the department’s application for a $5,000 “Get Michigan Youth Moving” grant had been approved by the Michigan Recreation and Park Association and the Michigan Department of Community Health. The grant provided funding for the development of an extensive after school program consisting of twenty-two (22) activities and transportation for middle school aged children. The statewide recognition of this program is a tribute to the community’s commitment to quality recreational programs that provide endless benefits to our youth.

As the program year ended, the commission and staff established a new partnership with the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy to develop a first time community paddle sport program. The initial organizational meeting for the program drew over 150 people. The program will focus on safety and education.

In addition to the expanded after school program, many new activities were made available to all age groups. New offerings focused on the arts, technology, travel, special events, and health and fitness.

The Centennial Farm Equestrian Center continued to operate under the superb direction of the University of Findlay. Quality staffing and instruction attracted many new students throughout the year. The center offered public riding lessons for student’s age 7 and older. For those younger than age 7, the equestrian staff conducted “ Little Equestrian Days” on Saturday afternoons. “ The Little Equestrian Days” provided hands on activities focusing on horse care and concluded with a horse ride around the indoor arena.

During the summer, the Findlay staff offered the community’s first ever, public equestrian camps and horsemanship clinics. The three camps were offered in weekly sessions for five hours each day. Topics included horse breeds, training, nutrition and care. Students also enjoyed riding experiences and how to properly maintain equestrian facilities.

Services

In the service area, the department continued to provide a community van program for senior citizens, low-income residents, the disabled and homebound individuals. This vital service was partly funded by the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) and the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).

As was the case 2000-01, the Centennial Farm recreation building was a beneficial resource to over thirty community groups. In addition to the community groups users, another 23 families rented the facility for private functions.

The “Channels” program guide was mailed to residents three times during the year. The guide has been the primary method of informing residents of the department’s programs and services for the past fifteen years. In addition to the guide, the Internet was again utilized to promote programs, update residents on projects, research information and recruit personnel. The department worked closely with G.I. Cable Television to broadcast commission meetings, promote activities and provide informational updates.

Part-time personnel provided field maintenance for the youth sports associations. This included work at the soccer and ballfields from April through October.

The department also provided clerical and administration support to the Festival Commission throughout the year. During the festival, the entire staff served in a variety of capacities to ensure the successful operation of the event. Festival records are maintained at the recreation department along with equipment items.

Projects

The department was successful in completing several facility improvement projects during the year. At the farm, improvements included structural repairs to the silo, upgrades to the outdoor lighting, installation of insulation and heaters in the arena building, installation of cement access pads to barns, and construction of wooden enclosures and cement pads for dumpsters bins. Other major improvements consisted of the removal of decrepit asphalt and deteriorating play equipment at the East River Recreation Area. This project was followed up with the installment of new ADA play equipment at the same site. The play equipment and site restoration projects were funded with Community Development Block Grant funds.

The Grosse Ile Soccer Association provided an $8,000 donation to fund the purchase and installation of vinyl fencing along the service road next to the airport soccer fields. This donation continued the strong commitment the Association has to developing a quality community soccer facility at the airport recreation area.

Support

Many groups came to the aid of the department by volunteering their time in support of programs and services. These groups included school organizations, the Grosse Ile Senior Club, Island Business Association, Lions Club, VFW, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Garden Club, Herb Society, Dance Grosse Ile, Grosse Ile Soccer Association
and the Grosse Ile Churches.

Throughout the year, the department received continued support form other Township departments. The team concept was continually evident when the need for support was required in providing safe, efficient service to the residents. The strong inter-departmental cooperation can be attributed to a dedicated management team and a staff committed to public service.

As the Recreation Commission and staff prepare for the coming year, the focus will again be to preserve and improve assets by developing successful programs and services that compliment and expand the funding sources with quality customer service as the goal,

2002-2003 Performance Objectives

1. Install asphalt parking area adjacent to recreation building at Centennial Farm.
2. Secure funding source to implement Phase 2 of the Airport Recreation Area.
3. Secure funding for run-in sheds and outdoor arena at Centennial Farm.
4. Determine plan of action to address concerns with preservatives used in lumber to construct playscape.
5. Demonstrate community demand for development of skate park.
6. Install integrated registration system with offline and online capabilities.
7. Increase revenue through program expansion.
8. Continue to assist equestrian staff in marketing strategies to increase lesson and special event registration.
9. Continue to provide staff members with educational opportunities that will provide for personal and professional growth.
10. Continue to provide administrative and clerical support to the Festival Commission to ensure events are coordinated and beneficial to the community.
11. To work cooperatively with community organizations and neighboring communities to expand program opportunities.
12. Continue to work with school staff and administration to expand program opportunities for school age children.
13. Expand senior programs and services.

2001-2002 Program, Participation, and Usage

Community Group Usage of Centennial Farm

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