Rochester Hills, Michigan – In its continuing effort to provide quality recreational opportunities for its citizens, the City of Rochester Hills is seeking public input as they update and replace the current Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The Parks and Recreation Plan, along with the 2005 Master Land Use Plan, is a continuing effort by the city to establish updated recreational goals and objectives for the community. The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is to provide direction to the administration, the Planning Commission and the City Council for development, re-development and enhancement of the city’s park system, open space, trails and recreation facilities for the next 5 years.
The planning process includes numerous opportunities for the community to take part. The city will host an Open Forum for discussion and community input on Thursday, February 10 and February 17, 2011 from 4:00pm to 8:30pm at the Rochester Hills City Hall. Residents will be given another opportunity to provide input at the Public Hearing, scheduled at the regular Planning Commission Meeting, on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
“Community input is essential. We base the Parks and Recreation Plan on the citizens’ vision for the future of the community,” states Mayor Bryan K. Barnett.
The city will collect and analyze data to develop goals, objectives, policies and standards for the city’s park system, the recreational elements of open space/forest areas, trail connectivity and recreation facilities.
The 2011 plan will also make the city eligible to apply for grants. “An updated plan is required by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to be eligible to apply for funding, states Mike Hartner, Parks and Forestry Director. It will also assist the city in reaching the residents’ recreational goals for that period.”
A draft plan and public opinion survey is now available online at rochesterhills.org, and will also be available at both of the meetings. The proposed Parks and Recreation Plan is tentatively scheduled for City Council adoption on Monday, March 21, 2011.
Established in 1984, the City of Rochester Hills is a prosperous community offering residents and businesses superior services. Voted one of the top places to live by several sources including CNN Money magazine and RelocateAmerica.com, Rochester Hills is committed to sustaining its position among the nation’s preeminent places to live, work and raise a family. Through the city’s focus on health, education and technology, the community continues to attract forward-thinking leaders and businesses.
About Tom and Ann Gendich