Summary
The Leelanau Township Parks and Recreation Committee met on June 17, 2026, with Dan Toole, Julie AP, Dan Tompkins, Elizabeth Schwind, and Tom Mayhew present, along with facilities/airport assistant manager Ian Dawkins and Jon Thatcher via Zoom. The committee approved prior minutes, welcomed new member Dan Tompkins, and reviewed updates across township parks. Key items included progress on the Woolsey Airport roof project, ongoing trail work at Braman Hill, a denied grant for Christmas Cove improvements, and planning for a five-year parks survey. The next meeting is scheduled for July 8, 2026.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during this meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The committee reviewed conditions and needs across township parks. At Braman Hill, more trees need to be removed to finish flagging the bike trail; a meeting was planned with Court, TJ, Ian, and Pat to complete the work. There were no updates on the skatepark. At Christmas Cove, the Township did not receive a grant for accessibility and erosion control; Ian Dawkins proposed adding another bathroom and a changing room, though no decision was recorded. At Omena Beach, swim buoys still need to be placed and the outhouse painted; the county will improve the crosswalk from the parking lot to the beach. Buster Dame Park is being used for the summer baseball/softball youth league. Peterson Park had no issues to report.
For the five-year plan, the committee discussed adding demographic questions to the community survey, questions on barriers to park use, a similar survey for adults, and how residents learn about community events. The survey period will run from August 1 through mid-October. Elizabeth Schwind will draft the survey, Dan Toole will work on postcard design, and another member (Dan) will handle the survey QR code; the Township will produce and mail the postcards.
Infrastructure Projects
Phase one of the Woolsey Airport roof project is complete and sealed. $2,200 was raised for the airport through the "Woolsey Red" event at Dune Bird Winery, but an additional $300,000–$400,000 is needed to complete phases two and three. The Leelanau Township Board discussed the airport ordinance and passed it as-is, with plans to re-evaluate in October; Dan Toole voted in opposition to the approval and raised the question of how best to assess the ordinance's impact in the fall.
Other Business
The committee formally welcomed new member Dan Tompkins. No additional new business items were introduced.
Action Items
- Elizabeth Schwind to draft the community survey, including demographic and barrier-to-use questions.
- Dan Toole to design survey postcards; another committee member (Dan) to create the survey QR code.
- Township staff to produce and mail postcards ahead of the August 1–mid-October survey period.
- Meeting to be arranged with Court, TJ, Ian Dawkins, and Pat to finish flagging the Braman Hill bike trail.
- Committee to re-evaluate the Woolsey Airport ordinance in October, per Dan Toole's request for an assessment plan.
- Additional fundraising needed ($300,000–$400,000) to complete phases two and three of the Woolsey Airport roof project.