Upcoming Events & Information
The updated Five year Parks & Recreation Plan (.pdf is here)
We're pleased to offer the current draft of the updated five-year Parks & Recreation Plan. Our Parks & Recreation advisory committee, with the help of consultant Pam Blough, has been working on this document for several months. It will be publicly discussed on Saturday, February 11 at a workshop hosted by the Casco Township Planning Commission. The public is urged to attend this informal and informative workshop open to all boards/committees of the Township, and, of course, the public. (And, refreshments are ALWAYS served at this Saturday morning meeting!) This draft Parks & Recreation Plan will also be the subject of a public hearing on Monday, February 20, beginning at 7:00 p.m. (at the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting). All meetings will be held at the Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue, at the corner of 71st Street (mailing address, South Haven, 49090). Comments may be emailed to the Clerk, Julie Cowie, or faxed to 269-639-1991.
Master Plan update is still in process. The plan has been revised significantly enough that it will be submitted to neighboring municipalities for the required 40+ day review.
Maps:
Regular office hours for the Township Assessor: the second Tuesday of every month, from 4:15 to 5:15, meet with a representative from the Assessor's office. You will be able to see your parcel information in the database and discuss other items at this time, at the Township Hall.
Master Plan update is still in process. The plan has been revised significantly enough that it will be submitted to neighboring municipalities for the required 40+ day review.
Maps:
- Historically Platted Small Lot Development;
- Farmland Preservation Eligible Parcels;
- Future Land Use Map;
- Existing Land Use Map;
- Water & Sewer Service Area Map;
- Topographic Map;
- Natural Features Map
Regular office hours for the Township Assessor: the second Tuesday of every month, from 4:15 to 5:15, meet with a representative from the Assessor's office. You will be able to see your parcel information in the database and discuss other items at this time, at the Township Hall.
Progress report: Nature Preserve
Casco Township was awarded funding to acquire the northern parcel of a two-parcel site located in the 700 block of Blue Star Highway. The southern parcel, owned by the late Walter & Marie Stefan, was acquired late in 2010 through a $1.5 million grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
The adjacent parcel, located north of the Stefan's site, was planted in over 100 maple trees and the acquisition, also grant-funded, is currently in process.
Casco Township was also awarded over $150,000 in grant funds to be put toward developing the park, an activity that has consumed much of the Parks & Recreation Committee's time lately. Perhaps you have seen some tree removal at the Casco Township Nature Preserve. The development of our new park has begun, with Katerberg Ver Hage Inc. being awarded the bid to do the majority of work. The plan is to let the ground settle over the winter and proceed with laying of asphalt for parking and trails in the Spring of 2012. The development of the Casco Township Nature Preserve is funded primarily (75% of costs) by a $150,000 grant awarded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The MNRTF is a reimbursement program; the Township has to front the costs and then be reimbursed.
In August, the Parks & Recreation Committee welcomed its newest member, Louie Howerton, a resident of Sunset Shore and father of young children. TThanks to Consultant Pam Blough, Chair Bruce Brandon, and all the Parks & Recreation Committee members for their good work this busy year. Congratulations are extended to Bruce Brandon, who now serves on the Allegan County Parks & Recreation Commission.
The adjacent parcel, located north of the Stefan's site, was planted in over 100 maple trees and the acquisition, also grant-funded, is currently in process.
Casco Township was also awarded over $150,000 in grant funds to be put toward developing the park, an activity that has consumed much of the Parks & Recreation Committee's time lately. Perhaps you have seen some tree removal at the Casco Township Nature Preserve. The development of our new park has begun, with Katerberg Ver Hage Inc. being awarded the bid to do the majority of work. The plan is to let the ground settle over the winter and proceed with laying of asphalt for parking and trails in the Spring of 2012. The development of the Casco Township Nature Preserve is funded primarily (75% of costs) by a $150,000 grant awarded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The MNRTF is a reimbursement program; the Township has to front the costs and then be reimbursed.
In August, the Parks & Recreation Committee welcomed its newest member, Louie Howerton, a resident of Sunset Shore and father of young children. TThanks to Consultant Pam Blough, Chair Bruce Brandon, and all the Parks & Recreation Committee members for their good work this busy year. Congratulations are extended to Bruce Brandon, who now serves on the Allegan County Parks & Recreation Commission.