By Lisa Carolin
The feedback is in, and local folks who shared their thoughts about Chelsea’s parks and recreation are passionate about pickleball, basketball courts, volleyball, activities for teens, the Border-to-Border Trail, and indoor recreation.
City Manager John Hanifan summed up the comments from input sessions in July that are contributing to the Parks Plan Amendment process. He shared those comments at the Parks Commission meeting Aug. 10 held at Timbertown.
Attendees at the meeting got a firsthand look at the improved volleyball courts at Timbertown, which Hanifan said are getting a lot of use.
Chelsea Mayor Melissa Johnson, a member of the Parks Commission, said that there is a big demand from Chelsea residents for more recreational spaces, which means following through on the acquisition of more green space and park land, which is part of the master plan.
Also discussed at the meeting was the Community Center Task Force, which is working on a public survey. Johnson is one of the members of the task force who has visited community centers in the area. She said that when she asked some Chelsea kids for input on what they’d like to see at a local community center, answers included a swimming pool, a place to hang out, and a rock-climbing wall.
Hanifan said that bids are coming in below budget for the Letts Creek Linear Park trail segment. He expects construction to start this month and for the trail to be completed in early to mid-fall.
The Parks Commission meets next on Sept. 7.
