Summary
The Leelanau Township Parks and Recreation Committee met on 02/18/2026, with Tom Mayhew, Eric Potes, Julie Preneta, Elizabeth Schwind, and Jon Thatcher present; Dan Toole, Court Wengreen, and facilities manager Ian Dawkins were absent, as was the public. The committee approved the previous meeting minutes (motion by Jon, seconded by Eric) and reviewed budget items for several township parks. The committee also voted to cancel the March 2026 meeting.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during either public comment period on the agenda.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The committee reviewed budget and project status for multiple parks:
- Woolsey Airport: Elizabeth reported the township budget includes $25,000 this year and next year for hangar roof repairs, plus $50,000 this year for terminal upgrades.
- Braman Hill: This year's budget carries over $2,500 from last year for single-track trail work, with an additional $5,000 to complete the project started last summer. The skatepark has $10,000 budgeted for a sealcoat, and pickleball court repairs are budgeted for 2029.
- Christmas Cove: An EGLE matching grant will fund ADA accessibility improvements and a rain garden, with $25,000 budgeted this year and $50,000 planned for 2028.
- Omena Beach: Pit toilet upgrades are included in the maintenance budget, with a plan to offer $10,000–$20,000 annually.
- Buster Dame: $25,000 is budgeted for next year.
- Peterson Park: No updates reported.
Under Old Business, the committee discussed 2026 budget items and a proposal to add $5,000 of township money to the five-year plan to help with costs; no vote was recorded on this proposal.
Other Business
A member raised a question about the disappearance of a payphone, asking where it went and when and why it was removed; no answer was recorded. Jon motioned to cancel the March 2026 Parks and Rec meeting, seconded by Elizabeth.
Financial Summary
- Woolsey Airport: $25,000 this year and next for hangar roof repairs; $50,000 this year for terminal upgrades.
- Braman Hill: $2,500 carried over plus $5,000 additional for trail work; $10,000 for skatepark sealcoat; pickleball repairs budgeted for 2029.
- Christmas Cove: $25,000 this year and $50,000 in 2028 for ADA/rain garden work via EGLE matching grant.
- Omena Beach: $10,000–$20,000 annually planned for pit toilet upgrades.
- Buster Dame: $25,000 budgeted for next year.
- Proposal (not yet approved): add $5,000 of township money to the five-year plan.
Action Items
- Next meeting scheduled for April 15, 2026 at 5:30pm.
- Follow up on the payphone removal question (no owner or deadline specified).
- Further discussion needed on the proposed $5,000 addition to the five-year plan.