Summary
The Leelanau Parks & Recreation body reviewed a draft Parks Ordinance intended to replace the prior Leelanau Township Park Regulation Ordinance #87-9. The draft establishes rules for use of Township parks (Peterson Park, Braman Hill Recreation Area, Buster Dame Park, Christmas Cove Beach, Omena Beach Park, and Woolsey Airfield Park), covering hours of operation, permits, prohibited conduct, and enforcement. The document remains in draft form with several open questions flagged by the drafter, and no formal vote was recorded (motion, support, roll call, and outcome fields are blank).
Parks and Recreation Matters
The draft ordinance sets general park hours from sunrise to sunset, with a bracketed question about whether to instead close parks at 10 pm, and whether a stated buffer (no person present earlier than one hour before sunrise or later than one hour after sundown) is needed given interest in "star gazing" activities. Only Peterson Park and Braman Hill Recreation Area may be reserved; other parks operate first-come, first-served. Groups of 50 or more require a permit and liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate), with permit applications due at least 60 days in advance absent extenuating circumstances. Fees and security deposits will be set by Township Board resolution, held by the Township Treasurer, and deposits released within 14 workdays after an event. The Township Clerk, Treasurer, or Supervisor may serve as designee for permit administration. The draft also details rules on fires, grills/picnic tables (4-hour use limit), littering, noise, pets (leashed, with designated "Animal Walk Areas"), vehicles (10 mph limit, no overnight parking), boating (no boats within 100 feet of bathing beaches), hunting/fishing restrictions (prohibited within 200 feet of park waters, except at the Braman Hill Shooting Range), alcohol/drug restrictions, and commercial activity requiring permits. A bracketed comment questions whether the Township may legally prohibit aircraft from landing on park beaches under Michigan law.
Infrastructure Projects
No new infrastructure projects (marina, cell towers, water, or sewer) were discussed; the ordinance references existing park facilities such as pavilions, gazebos, and parking areas as "facilities" subject to permitting rules.
Other Business
The ordinance sets penalties for violations as a municipal civil infraction, with fines up to $500 per violation plus enforcement costs, under MCL 600.8701 et seq. and MCL 600.8727(3). The ordinance would take effect 30 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation. A severability clause was included, and all prior conflicting park ordinances (except the Airport Ordinance) would be rescinded.
Action Items
- Resolve whether Woolsey Airfield Park should be included or excluded from the Park Ordinance, given its separate Airport Ordinance.
- Determine final park hours (sunrise-to-sunset vs. a fixed 10 pm closing) and address how "star gazing" interest fits into hour restrictions.
- Confirm legal authority under Michigan law to prohibit aircraft landings on Township park beaches.
- Finalize fee schedule and permit application details for Township Board resolution.
- Complete the motion, support, roll call vote, and adoption process, which remain blank in the draft.