Summary
The Leelanau Township Parks and Recreation Committee met on August 20, 2025, with members Tom Mayhew, Eric Potes, Julie Preneta, Elizabeth Schwind, Jon Thatcher, Dan Toole, and Court Wengreen present. The committee approved the previous meeting's minutes, reviewed progress on Woolsey Airport funding and Braman Hill improvements, voted to recommend returning pickleball nets to Buster Dame, and discussed an EGLE coastal resilience grant for Christmas Cove. Bylaw review was postponed to the September meeting, and work began on planning for a new five-year Parks & Recreation plan.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during either public comment period at this meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
At Braman Hill, Jon reported that the half pipe construction has started. Tom, Court, Ian, Eli, and Chad Jordan of Bike Leelanau met with Youthworks representatives to flag and plan features for a future mountain bike trail; the Youthworks contract totals $14,000 against a $10,000 budget, and the committee is working to reduce Youthworks hours and rely on volunteers to stay within budget. Township approval of the plan is still required before work can proceed. A 10' x 10' sunshade for the Braman pickleball court has been ordered but not yet delivered. Members raised questions about adding security cameras at Braman Hill to deter vandalism and whether the warming hut could remain open 24/7; Eric will research camera options and costs for a future meeting.
At Buster Dame, one tree has been planted with two more planned. Following a motion by an unnamed member and a second by Dan, the committee voted unanimously to recommend that pickleball nets be returned to Buster Dame, where the sport was previously played.
Regarding Christmas Cove, EGLE is offering a 50% matching grant for coastal resilience; Supervisor Conley is looking into the grant.
The committee also began work on a required five-year Parks & Recreation plan, needed by the end of 2026. Julie will contact Ty Wessel at the county to learn who the county used to prepare its recently completed plan. Supervisor Conley requested that committee members review and suggest changes to bylaws for P&R ordinances; this discussion was moved to the September meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
For the Woolsey Airport, the Township approved spending $100,000 in cash on hand plus almost $50,000 raised from public donations to begin work, with additional funds pledged to complete phase one, the roof. A subcommittee called SWAT will operate under NAHA, and a separate Woolsey Airport ordinance is being drafted to keep the airport distinct from Parks matters.
Financial Summary
- Woolsey Airport: $100,000 from Leelanau Township cash on hand, plus almost $50,000 from public donations, for phase one (roof) work; additional pledges are being secured.
- Braman Hill mountain bike trail: Youthworks contract of $14,000, with $10,000 budgeted; committee is working to reduce costs to stay within budget using volunteers.
- Christmas Cove: EGLE offering a 50% matching grant for coastal resilience, currently being explored by Supervisor Conley.
Action Items
- Eric will research security camera options and costs for Braman Hill and report back at a future meeting.
- Julie will contact Ty Wessel at the county regarding the consultant used for the county's five-year plan.
- Committee members are to review and suggest changes to P&R bylaws, with discussion scheduled for the September 17, 2025 meeting.
- Township approval is still needed for the Braman Hill mountain bike trail plan before work can proceed.
- Supervisor Conley continues to look into the EGLE matching grant for Christmas Cove.