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The City Council directed staff to develop a new Parks Zone as part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review to establish development regulations for City-owned parks and open space lands. After receiving feedback on the initial draft of the Parks Zone development regulations from the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), Planning Commission (PC), and the community, the project was returned to the PRC for further review. The PRC provided a recommendation to separate the project into two separate zones: one for parks and another for open space lands. The Open Space Zone was identified as the first phase of the project, which was developed in 2024 with direction from the PRC, Open Space Conservancy Trust (OSCT) Board, and the PC. The Open Space Zone was adopted by the City Council with Ordinance No. 24C-15 effective December 31, 2024.
After the adoption of the Open Space Zone, the PRC began their work on the Parks Zone in Fall 2024. The PRC finalized their Parks Zone recommendation to the City Council and Planning Commission in April 2025. The PRC's Parks Zone recommendation was presented to the City Council on April 15 and the PC on April 23. The PC's legislative review process is anticipated to be completed by June 2025 and the City Council is anticipated to review the Parks Zone in July 2025.
The City Council directed staff to develop a new Parks Zone as part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review to establish development regulations for City-owned parks and open space lands. After receiving feedback on the initial draft of the Parks Zone development regulations from the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), Planning Commission (PC), and the community, the project was returned to the PRC for further review. The PRC provided a recommendation to separate the project into two separate zones: one for parks and another for open space lands. The Open Space Zone was identified as the first phase of the project, which was developed in 2024 with direction from the PRC, Open Space Conservancy Trust (OSCT) Board, and the PC. The Open Space Zone was adopted by the City Council with Ordinance No. 24C-15 effective December 31, 2024.
After the adoption of the Open Space Zone, the PRC began their work on the Parks Zone in Fall 2024. The PRC finalized their Parks Zone recommendation to the City Council and Planning Commission in April 2025. The PRC's Parks Zone recommendation was presented to the City Council on April 15 and the PC on April 23. The PC's legislative review process is anticipated to be completed by June 2025 and the City Council is anticipated to review the Parks Zone in July 2025.
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The Native Plant Park (in Mercerdale Park) is very neglected. It's not even mentioned on the city's website even though there is a MI Native Plant Sign at the Park. The pathway is littered with fallen trees and the pathway is questionable (it needs gravel to show the clear pathway). The plant identification signs have been damaged from trees falling over. With the Farmer's Market starting soon and Riot Games moving in soon, this park needs a facelift and some attention.
DNR
about 1 year ago
The Pioneer Park informational signs in the NW quadrant need to be replaced. It's good information- but the signs are cracked and there is water damage to all of them.
DNR
about 1 year ago
Pioneer Park needs signs along the street where it is okay for vehicles to park. The parking spots should have designated gravel or pavement so it is well known the spots are available. Right now there is grass or dirt parking areas and no signage so it is unclear where to legally park.
Also, the Pioneer Park trails need trail signs since there are 6 miles within the 3 quadrants of trails, it gets confusing. The NW quadrant has a few signs in the middle of the park, but that's the only quadrant that has signage. The NE quadrant has a couple of wooden signs, but the SE quadrant has none. It is very hit and miss and I walk the trails frequently and still get confused where I am. "Fern Trail," "Flicker Trail," etc. would make the trails easier to navigate. Trail Maps in the middle of the park with "you are here" would also help in each quadrant. See the Bridle Trail signs in Bellevue as inspiration- each sign has a picture to go with the name. Those signs make it fun and easy to navigate the park- without getting lost!
The Native Plant Park (in Mercerdale Park) is very neglected. It's not even mentioned on the city's website even though there is a MI Native Plant Sign at the Park. The pathway is littered with fallen trees and the pathway is questionable (it needs gravel to show the clear pathway). The plant identification signs have been damaged from trees falling over. With the Farmer's Market starting soon and Riot Games moving in soon, this park needs a facelift and some attention.
The Pioneer Park informational signs in the NW quadrant need to be replaced. It's good information- but the signs are cracked and there is water damage to all of them.
Pioneer Park needs signs along the street where it is okay for vehicles to park. The parking spots should have designated gravel or pavement so it is well known the spots are available. Right now there is grass or dirt parking areas and no signage so it is unclear where to legally park.
Also, the Pioneer Park trails need trail signs since there are 6 miles within the 3 quadrants of trails, it gets confusing. The NW quadrant has a few signs in the middle of the park, but that's the only quadrant that has signage. The NE quadrant has a couple of wooden signs, but the SE quadrant has none. It is very hit and miss and I walk the trails frequently and still get confused where I am. "Fern Trail," "Flicker Trail," etc. would make the trails easier to navigate. Trail Maps in the middle of the park with "you are here" would also help in each quadrant. See the Bridle Trail signs in Bellevue as inspiration- each sign has a picture to go with the name. Those signs make it fun and easy to navigate the park- without getting lost!