Stoney Creek Park group continues discussions
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on June 16, 2006 1:51 PM
Stoney Creek Park Development Committee members met Thursday, to continue discussions involving the possibility of requesting that City Council members establish the Stoney Creek Park Alliance.
City Manager Joe Huffman said the committee adopted a set of by-laws at their meeting, and hope to present them for approval by council Monday. Additionally, they will seek official approval of their park master plan.
"We thought it would be a good idea to adopt and approve the master plan presented by Kimley-Horn," Huffman said.
The plan was given preliminary approval by the City Council Nov. 7 and was unveiled to the public at a meeting held in January. It features a dominant, six-acre lake in the middle of the property -- surrounded by trails, walking paths, a community garden area and a passive lawn.
The plan also includes a course for disc golf, which plays like golf but uses Frisbees aimed at chain baskets, and an informal stage area that committee members hope parents and children can use for birthday parties or small family gatherings.
Last week, Recreation and Parks Director Neil Bartlett said the committee was in the final stages of organizing the Stoney Creek Park Alliance, a move that would allow the group to apply for membership with the Wayne County Charitable Partnership in hopes of attaining non-profit status.
As a non-profit, the group would then be able to collect tax-deductible donations for the estimated $2 million park project.
Huffman said non-profit status would allow residents to stake more claim in the project. While the city government still plans to assist in whatever way it can -- including funding -- partnering with the community is a positive step, he said.
"The community sort of took the reigns on things from the very beginning," Huffman said.