Master Plan At the November, 2007 Parks & Recreation Authority meeting, the trustees voted to move forward with building a 5 year master plan utilizing the experience and knowledge of recreation planning consultants - Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. of Ann Arbor. Carlisle/Wortman Associates conducted the last 5 year planning document which is now up for renewal. The scope of work for developing the 2008-2013 plan will consist of a five step process including: Review of existing documents such as current community master land use plans, recreation plans, neighboring community recreation plans, and any other pertinent documents. We will then compile a community profile which will include updating the demographic, physical and land use characteristics using the 2000 US census data; compiling a description of the current administrative structure of the Parks & Recreation Authority including the roles of volunteers and any partnerships with other organizations such as schools or private recreation providers. We will then fully describe, inventory, and evaluate the area's recreation facilities and programs using staff input, a field survey, and any other existing documentation. This information will be gathered to formulate conclusions regarding opportunties and needs for the area's park and recreation system. A comparison to national recreation standards will also be included. Through a written survey for area residents, we will solicit public input and also conduct four public meetings with area community stakeholders (City of Howell, Marion Township, Genoa Township and Oceola Township) to identify needs, desires, and define the goals and objectives of the plan. And finally, we will develop a draft master plan that will include an action plan, capital improvement schedule, and long range plans for the area's recreation facilities. This draft master plan will be submitted for a 30 day public review and will then be revised based on any information collected during this time. A public hearing will then be conducted and the final plan will be adopted by the Parks & Recreation Authority. We are very excited to begin the process to develop this document that will lead us into the future. We are hoping to begin work immediately and to have a final document in hand no later than August 1, 2008. Dates for public input and the distribution of the survey document will be forthcoming shortly. We will keep you up-to-date as we proceed. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Parks & Recreation Director, Deborah E. Mikula at 517/546-0693 or dmikula@howellrecreation.org