By Lisa Carolin
Thanks to a $46,000 Kaboom grant, there will be more parklets added to downtown Chelsea. That was announced during a Chelsea Parks Commission meeting via Zoom April 6.
Shawn Personke, the newest member to the Parks Commission, made her debut at the meeting.
Parklets are the sidewalk extensions that will be used to create more seating places for gathering and socializing and street planters.
The Parks Commission, which offered a survey to the public last year to create a Parks Master Plan Update, is looking for additional feedback. Commisson members are considering setting up a kiosk at the Chelsea Farmers Market at Palmer Commons, which begins its onsite market May 1. There may also be a station set up at Pierce Park to get kids’ feedback on the Parks Plan.
Chelsea City Manager John Hanifan updated members on the Letts Creek Linear Park, and said clearing and survey work is underway. Construction will start in the next couple weeks. The linear park will eventually connect to a roundabout that will head south across Sibley Road to Vets Park, Weber Field, and Timbertown.
The trail is expected to open in the fall and is being paid for with help from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Improving the Timbertown sand volleyball courts by cost sharing with a local supporter of the courts was also discussed. The overall cost to make the courts bigger and better would be about $15,000 with $8,500 coming from the city. There also would be the possibility of creating a sand volleyball league at the courts with the plan to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.
Bringing back Rec-It Tuesdays was also discussed. Last year “Trail Tuesdays” highlighted different local trails. The plan would be to work with sponsors such as the Chelsea District Library and Chelsea Community Education and host Covid safe activities that allow for social distancing.
The Parks Commission’s next meeting will be May 4 via Zoom.
