For the purposes of this plan, recreational areas are divided into two classifications: (1) neighborhood parks and playgrounds and (2) community parks. A summary of these park classifications is provided below:
- Neighborhood parks and playgrounds are areas for intense recreational activities, such as field games, court games and playgrounds. Neighborhood parks should be easily accessible to a neighborhood population, centrally located with safe pedestrian access. The service area should be approximately � to � mile.
- Community parks are passive and active recreational areas serving the entire community. Community parks are generally larger in size and may provide passive recreation, such as walking trails, seating areas, skating, and picnic areas. Service areas for community parks should be approximately 2 miles.
For the purposes of this plan, the MDNR's recreation standards will be used. These standards are shown in the following table:
TABLE 8 HERE
RECREATION INVENTORY
There are four outdoor recreational areas in the city, three of which are owned and/or operated by the city. Another six sites are owned by the Reed City Public School System and are not included in this analysis. The city recreational facilities are shown in the following table"
TABLE 9 HERE
The Reed City Recreation Park Complex is considered a community park, as it serves the entire community and is not readily accessible by pedestrians or a nearby neighborhood. The Reed City Linear Park and Rambadt Park are classified as neighborhood parks because of their size and function although they are not within convenient walking distance of residential areas of the city.
RECREATION NEEDS AND ACTION PLAN
Based on the MDNR's standards, there is sufficient total acreage in the city for both neighborhood and community park land as shown in Table 10, but not enough neighborhood playground locations.
TABLE 10 HERE
The 2-mile service area of the Reed City Recreation Park complex serves virtually the entire residential area of the city. However, all of the city's recreational areas should be connected with the existing and proposed residential areas thoughout the city.
The city's recreation plan includes a provision for upgrading the quality of Recreation Park, Linear Park, and Rambadt Park. The plan also includes upgrading the quality of the existing softball/baseball fields to league-play standards and to work with the school system in designing new and upgrading existing playgrounds and athletic fields and facilities. The plan specifies many goals to provide for effective multi-use balance in existing and new recreation areas. Specifically, these are to:
- Assure accessibility to all parks/facilities for special populations.
- Utilize railroad right-of-way for park and intercounty/township recreation linkage.
- Acquire and develop a soccer complex.
- Develop Miller Park as a multi-use area park.
- Connect the Reed City parks with the Hersey Park System.
- Promote the usage of the Great American Crossroads Building for area wide usage.
- Develop an activities center/senior-citizen/teen center, either in an existing facility of a new facility.
- Develop a multi-use park in the Village of Hersey.
- Construct a band shell in Hersey West Park for musical presentations or outdoor plays.
- Develop a swimming pool and sledding hill.
- Assure a balance of facilities for all age groups throughout the Reed City area.
The plan further specifies goals to encourage a wide variety of recreational programs to provide opportunities for all user groups. These goals include:
- Initiating a broad-based survey to determine what programs are needed or should be added.
- Seeking to provide programs for senior citizens.
- Determining whether or not there is a need for the creation of a recreation director position for the Reed City area to be responsible for the additional recreation programming needs and to assist with the coordination of existing activities.
Finally, the recreation plan states that it is important to assure a line of communication to encourage public awareness and involvement in the recreation process by:
- Working with the Chamber of Commerce and area township councils to develop public brochures that describe available recreational facilities and programs.
- Continuing to use news releases to the media regarding programs and facilities and overall public relations.
- Identifying projects/programs that private individuals and organizations can undertake (i.e. shuffleboard, horseshoes).
It is important to maintain the recreation plan, to ensure that it is in compliance with the MDNR's guidelines, that it has been approved, and that it is on file with that agency.
The recreation plan should also consider expanded use of the "Rails-to-Trails" project as a site for 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer bicycle, running, and roller-blade races. These could be conveniently developed as a "Figure 8," using part railroad right-of-way and part local roads.
A River Trail System along the Hersey River should be developed in order to link all city parks and the Village of Hersey. Rambadt Park should be serviced with electricity to all lots and the restrooms/shower facilities need to be rebuilt. Access should be provided directly to US-10.
In addition, the present city hall site could be expanded to include a multi-use building that could house senior-citizen programs.
For a more detailed discussion of recreational facilities and programs, please refer to the Reed City Area Recreation Plan, 1993 through 1997.
A more detailed analysis examines the need for specific recreational activities. According to the community survey conducted in February 1992, the top three types of facilities needed in the community were: (1) swimming pool, (2) teen center, and (3) ice rink.
The recreational activities that people participated in most (in order of most participated in):
1. Movies
2. Swimming
3. Fishing
4. Camping
5. Bowling
6. Hunting
7. Softball
8. Biking
9. Volleyball
10. Arts and Crafts
The survey indicates high levels of interest in the above ten activities. It definitely shows a need for a theater, bowling alley, and swimming pool.
According to the MDNR, the following standards apply for local recreational opportunities, based on the population of the community. According to these standards, the city has deficiencies in the number of picnic tables and playground facilities. Both of these would be appropriate at either a neighborhood or community park facility.
TABLE 11 HERE
According to the MDNR's state recreation plan, Osceola County, as a whole, has the following deficiencies: ball fields, outdoor basketball courts, outdoor ice rinks, playgrounds, and soccer fields. In applying for state grand monies for recreational facilities, those recreational opportunities determined to be deficient in a particular area would receive greater consideration.
Passive recreational areas and trails should be developed within the wetlands and wooded areas as the city has always don at both the Recreation Park Complex and Linear Park. The Reed City Recreation Park Complex should be improved with needed park improvements as identified in this plan. The projects should also be identified in the DDA's Tax Increment Finance and Development Plan and may be funded in whole or in part by the DDA. In addition, vacant parcels within residential areas would be excellent locations for small "pocket parks" or play lots. This would include the areas between the downtown and the higher-density housing to the southwest and southeast. Neighborhood playgrounds might also include sidewalks, benches, landscaping, drinking fountains, play equipment, etc..
Efforts should continue to provide access to Rambadt Park from US-10. This facility has broad appeal and potential utilization from a variety of users, but lack of direct access prohibits greater use.
The city should ensure that the recreation plan meets the MDNR's standards to apply for state and federal grant monies. Currently, there are three possible funding sources for land acquisition and/or facility development. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, and the Michigan Quality of Life Bond Program (ends 1994).
Provided by the Reed City Downtown Development Authority.
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