Newbery adopts five-year recreation master plan with park improvements

By Sterling McGinn

The Village of Newbery held a public hearing on the proposed five-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan prior to the start of their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 20.

Recreation Master Plans allow townships and villages to apply for state grant programs—notably grants from the DNR trust fund. Municipalities re-adopt their plans every five years.
The plan includes an inventory of their recreation areas, expanded recreation opportunities, and improving and updating existing parks and recreation areas.

“We were lucky enough to be approached by the Eastern U.P. Regional Planning and Development Commission for assistance in receiving grant funds from the State of Michigan to update our five-year Parks and Recreation plan,” said Village Manager Allison Watkins.

During the public hearing, members of the council and public heard an overview of the plan from Matt Sawle, GIS Technician/Planner 1. There were four members of the public in attendance.

“The five-year recreation plans, they are less of a grant and more of a framework for the DNR to see what the township or village is already working on and have that information,” Sawle said. “Whatever future grants … you may apply for, the DNR is going to pull this and take a look at it.”

The plan considers the area’s demographics, plus environmental information. A recreation inventory is included, along with a goals and objectives section.

The village owns the TORC complex, north of the railroad track, Knierim Park on West Ave C, Sherman Park between Truman Boulevard and John Street, and Atlas Park behind the Village of Newberry office.

“The biggest recreation activity in the village is walking and biking and going to the parks and playgrounds,” Sawle said.

Maintaining and improving non-motorized travel between walking trails, village parks, and businesses.

“Goal number two is further development and renovation of the current existing parks in the village and their amenities,” Sawle said.

The third goal is to support year-round recreation.

Some plan highlights include adding ground cover under all equipment at Atlas and TORC in 2027, adding a splash pad at Atlas or Knierim Park in 2028, installing shade structures at Atlas or TORC in 2029, and making a wheelchair accessible play area at Atlas and/or TORC for 2030.

A public survey took place in April and was open until June. The survey received 148 responses from villages residents and residents of McMillan Township. A 30-day public review portion yielded one comment.

During the regular session, the council voted to adopt a resolution approving the five-year Recreation Master Plan.

The council also voted to renew the contract between the village and the Luce County Sheriff Department, which secured a part-time deputy to patrol the Village. Deputy Zach Kitzman, also the School Resource Officer, has the job. The contract was up for renewal in the end of November.

An updated contract should be ready for review and approval at next month’s meeting.

In other business, the board discussed banning parking on the east side of Phelps Street from McMillan Avenue to Harrie Street. The street often get congestion from cars parking on both sides of the street.

Watkins and the DPW Superintendent have discussed this for several years. She was seeking approval from the board that night to designate a no parking on the stretch of the street for a one-year period.

“The reason for this, especially during winter, there is significant congestion on the street in particular during school hours when the teachers are parking there,” explained Watkins. “It makes it difficult for the residents to get out of their driveways, but it makes it almost impossible to get a plow truck down there during the day”.

Finally, the council went into closed session to discuss union collective bargaining and a personnel review of Watkins. Returning to open session, the council voted to approve the union bargaining agreement as presented, and not to take any action regarding the personnel review.