Leelanau County Parks and Recreation
Meeting – March 18, 2026
Report to Commissioners
Prepared by Alan Campbell
District 5 County Commissioner
While it might not go down as the most exciting meeting in county history, I thought the Parks and Recreation Commission accomplished much during our 1 1/2-hour meeting.
Most of our time was spent on a somewhat painful plunge into the Capital Improvement Plan, which prioritizes projects the commission believes are needed through 2030. The CIP must be submitted to the Planning Department by April 1.
The commission seems more active in seeking grants and recognizing the potential of the county’s three parks, which led to many discussions.
County Board Vice Chairman Mark Walters commented that we can plan until the end of time, but if county commissioners don’t prioritize park projects (or have funds to do the same), then not much will get done. He’s right.
Of notable changes:
• A major pickleball park costing $300,000 at Myles Kimmerly Park was moved from next year to 2028;
• A request to add Starlink internet access to all three parks at a cost of $45,000 remained in 2026, although no funding source was cited and little support was shown;
• A proposal to build a non-permanent ice rink at Myles Kimmerly that was originally proposed by Facilities Director Patrick Roach remained on the list for 2026 — with an asterisk. Mr. Roach, recognizing a lack of overwhelming support, asked that the item remain on the CIP while he searches out volunteer labor and material to build the rink. He was hopeful that the rink could be built for one-tenth of the estimate with help from hockey aficionados.
On a positive note, many of the projects that have lingered on the list have been accomplished or are in progress. Included Myles Kimmerly projects include porta-potty enclosures ($22,000), upgrades to the disc golf practice course and golf driving range ($22,000), and the resurfacing of tennis courts (and remarking for two pickleball courts, $15,000). Also, the MDNR Trust Fund grant for the ADA trail at Veronica Valley was approved, with work slated to be completed in June 2028.
In other business to come before the board:
• The Parks Commission officially recommended the submittal of an $80,000 grant request to the GTB to build an ADA-compliant ramp, replace stairs, and install an ADA-compliant dock at Old Settlers Park. Commissioners may recall that I voted “no” on the proposal at our executive meeting because the request had not been presented to the Parks Commission before coming to the County Board.
You can usually find some positive in the darkest of times. The blizzard forced cancellation of our County Board meeting for two days, which gave the Parks Commission, at its monthly meeting, an opportunity to recommend the grant proposal, which was proposed by Mr. Roach.
• We talked about dogs, in particular those visiting Old Settlers. Apparently a past County Board passed a rule that only allowed dogs on leashes in Old Settlers Park if they stay on pavement. That’s not a good situation for dogs or dog lovers on hot summer days. Regardless, I received a call from Animal Control Officer Wayne Kalchik seeking clarification. He does not mind enforcing the rule, but he believes signs should first be posted at all exits and entrances to the park.
Park commissioners saw no need to change the rule and asked Maintenance Supervisor Duane Flaska to install proper signage.
• Commissioners reviewed a detailed report from the Myles Kimmerly subcommittee. Among a number of suggestions, the subcommittee is advocating that no dog park or ice rink is needed, that work crews be organized to walk and clean trails, that consideration be given to building a trail to connect the park with Maple City, and also that consideration be given to building affordable rental housing in the northwest section of the 176-acre park. No action was taken by the commission.
