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eMacomb - Featured Article, Spring 2014
Planning News
The Planning and Mapping program area, lead by Jeff Schroeder, has been working for more than a year to update the Macomb County Master Plan for Parks and Recreation. The project has involved multiple meetings with stakeholders to create a new strategy for parks and recreational assets in the county.
Suggested projects include developing new waterfront recreational districts, upgrading amenities at Freedom Hill, expanding our network of hike/bike trails and more.
“This is a great opportunity for Macomb County,” said Stephen Cassin, executive director of the county’s Planning and Economic Development Department. “We are using fresh and innovative planning tools to enhance parks and recreation. By building off of the incredible assets we already possess, we can engage new users and a wider network of partners.”
Macomb County last updated its Parks and Recreation plan in 2007. Under Michigan’s Guidelines for the Development of Community Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Plans, the county must update its parks and recreation strategy every five years to be eligible for grants from the state. The new plan includes a comprehensive community profile, updated administrative structure, detailed inventory of parks and an action plan for investments and improvements.
The plan was officially adopted by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners in February. The next step is to submit it to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
This program area has also expanded the level of services it offers to municipalities within the county. In the last year, our department has become the official community planner for the City of Utica and the Village of New Haven. Over the past year, staff has worked with the City of Utica to develop a new Parks, Recreation and Open Space 5-Year Master Plan and an updated community sign ordinance.
ADDITIONAL INFO/RELATED LINKS
Macomb Daily - March 19, 2014 - County eyes big upgrade in recreational offerings