News

Dec 17, 2023

Midland's Blessed Sacrament potential playground donation to city park

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Blessed Sacrament Church's Father Robert Howe (left) and Business Manager Patrick Regier (right) present a proposal to the Parks and Recreation Commission to deed their playground to the city's Wallen Park on June 6, 2023.

The Blessed Sacrament playground as presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on June 6, 2023.

The City of Midland could receive a new playground at Wallen Park after the Parks and Recreation Commission supported a recommendation to City Council the addition of the Blessed Sacrament playground to the park at its meeting on Tuesday in City Hall.

Blessed Sacrament Church is located just south of the park on Ashman Street. The playground, which was formerly used by Blessed Sacrament School, is on the northern side of the property abutting the park.

Father Robert Howe said children from the city park use the playground already and thought it would be a good addition to the community.

"One of the reasons why we’re doing this is that we do see it as a value and we’d like to do something for the community," Howe said. "We thought this would be a good way to do that."

The playground does need improvements and upgrades. Blessed Sacrament Business Manager Patrick Regier said the playground is at the end of its life after being put in place in 2002.

Blessed Sacrament will contribute up to $200,000 to buy new equipment on the condition that the playground be deeded to the City of Midland for $0 and that after the equipment is installed the city is responsible for all maintenance.

"We are willing to help to fund a new one provided we can basically donate that bit of property to the city to make it part of Wallen Park," Howe said. "Most people around there, if you asked them, would think that it already is."

Howe also asked that the church could have its picnic one Sunday a year - the last weekend of August - on part of the property that will be transferred to the city. The picnic would require that they set up a tent only on the one day.

Howe also said if the city does not build on the western part of the property, they would like to continue pushing the snow from their parking lot into that area during the winter as they have always done.

The commission voted 5-0 to recommend the proposal to City Council.

Chippewassee Park pavilion

Assistant Director of Public Services Marcie Post explained to the commission that staff has decided to close rentals for this season at the Chippewassee Park pavilion near the Tridge.

Any rentals that have already been scheduled for this summer will be honored, but on other rentals will be approved.

Post said they made this decision due to vandalism that has taken place at the pavilion. Staff will re-evaluate the decision in the winter.

Post said the vandalism includes graffiti and broken bottles.

"We’ve seen a significant amount of vandalism in our parks of recent, and most specifically in Chippewassee Park," Post said. "(It's) to the point where we can no longer offer quality service in that park in terms of park rentals. We have many brides, many very important family functions that happen at that park and I can't guarantee that it's going to be beautiful when they walk in on a Saturday morning."

For rentals that were already scheduled, Post said staff will be diligent about getting to the pavilion early in the morning to ensure it's clean.

Project reports

Post said the Stratford Woods Kayak/Canoe launch is almost completed. The concrete has been poured and once it has cured city staff will install the launch. Post said the accessible launch could be used as part of the Lifetime, Education and Activities Program on its kayaking day in July.

Multiple trails in Midland were seal-coated at the end of last month. The project was delayed in the process due to the weather, but has been completed now.

The Pere Marquette Rail trail, Plymouth Park trail, the Movie Theater/Soccer trail and portions of the Grand Curve trail are newly sealed.

Recreation update

Post highlighted Kids Fishing Day taking place Saturday at Stratford Woods from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Midland Conservation District, Women of the Wild and MidMichigan Community Action Agency partnered with the city on the event.

The free fishing workshop will teach participants about fishing and Michigan natural resources as well as provide activities and food trucks, including Proper Taco.

Plymouth Pool opened June 3 with a record day for funding. Post said the pool made over $7,500 on opening day, including its online swim pass sales.

A number of changes have been made at the pool this season, including:

• New Pool Manager Lynette Duncan• Dedicated swim instructors • Swim programs were reduced to 30 minutes• The pool will close at 8 p.m. instead of 8:30 p.m.