Dave Rice and the Friends of Fruitland Township Trails gave updates regarding the Duck Creek Natural Area at the Nov. 17 Fruitland board meeting. Rice took to public comment to share a personal anecdote from a recent hosting of an enthusiastic grade school-aged group at Duck Creek, showing the impact the natural area was already having on the community.
Rice and the Friends also shared in previous correspondence that the Community Foundation of Muskegon County had named a fund set up by Rice and his wife Georgiana as an income beneficiary. Proceeds of the fund will be used to continue to improve and maintain the DCNA. Attendees were told that if anyone wishes to help the fund, they may reach out to Rice or the Community Foundation.
The Friends also addressed the issue of hunting in the DCNA in their letter. They stated they do not wish to see hunting totally abolished in the area, but it would be beneficial to see strict guidelines on what is and isn’t allowed. The board shared its agreement.
Board supervisor Jeff Marcinkowski stated, with board approval, that he will draft a letter to the White Lake Association granting the WLA permission to replace its invasive species removal tools at the boat launch as part of its Clean Boats, Clean Lakes initiatives. It will also be authorized to host outreach and educational programs there.
Further park and recreational topics were discussed at the meeting, with updates for both the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail and Nestrom Park. For Berry Junction Trail, a paved bike path connecting Muskegon to the Hart-Montague Rail Trail. Trail pioneer Tom Lindrup's recent passing was somberly noted, and the Friends of Berry Junction Trail organization is discussing the installation of a memorial dedicated to Lindrup and his work. Also discussed was how Fruitland Township will work to preserve its portion of the trail, including the installation of signage and concrete trail maintenance.
The Parks and Recreation Commission was quoted $367,883 from WinBerg Construction to build bathrooms at the park, and the board unanimously approved a contract for that expense. The township previously sold properties earlier this year with this in mind, gaining over $600,000 in revenue that will cover this cost.
Also approved unanimously were the consent judgment of demolition of blighted property on Scenic Drive at the cost of the Township, the Planning Commission's definition of a basement for ordinance purposes (the revised definition will be made available to the public), and the changing of a township-sold parcel of property from a mobile home park to a high-density residential zoning.
Finally, Marcinkowski shared a draft analysis and safety review of the Whitehall and Riley-Thompson Road intersection by Michigan’s Adventure. The township is still interested in the construction of a roundabout, which they hope will decrease speeding through the area and discourage drivers from dropping off children at the intersection to avoid parking at the theme park.
This draft will be shared with the Muskegon County Road Commission and will allow the MCRC to approach the State Department of Transportation for funding the construction of the roundabout, though Marcinkowski admitted, “[MCRC is] not in favor of [roundabouts], but in this case, they’re looking into it.”
