By Lisa Carolin
Pierce Park was the most visited park in Chelsea in 2020 based on feedback from people who responded to the Chelsea Parks 2020 survey.
A total of 419 people responded to the survey, 2/3rds of whom were Chelsea residents. Those results were shared during the Chelsea Parks Commission’s Jan. 5 meeting via Zoom.
Respondents were least familiar with the Chelsea Dog Park. According to Chelsea City Manager John Hanifan, based on survey results, most people drive to local parks though some walk or ride bicycles.
Bike paths and walking trails are among the most important features respondents would like to see at local parks. Rest rooms, fields, skate parks, and splash pads are also important to respondents along with additional recreation space and new play structures.
Many respondents also list a community pool and a community center as important as well as the acquisition of land for new parks.
Additional recreational programming for teens and older adults were also requested by many respondents to the survey.
Hanifan hopes to present the draft plan update to Chelsea City Council in March.
In other news, the new pavilion has been completed in Pierce Park.
The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission along with Huron Waterloo Paths Initiative and Border to Border Trail representative will hold a remote meeting open to the public Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. to talk about the proposed trail segment heading north from Sibley Road. Everyone is invited to participate.
The Chelsea Parks Commission meets next on Feb. 2 at 9 a.m.
