Joint Recreation Plan: Enhancing Hillsdale & Hillsdale Township's Community Engagement

1. City of Hillsdale & Hillsdale Township Joint Recreation Plan

2. Community Description • Location • Socioeconomic Summary • Population History & Projections • Age & Sex of the Population • Household & Family Composition • Racial & Ethnic Composition • Disabilities of Residents • Income • The Health of Residents

3. Administrative Structure • Authorization • Organizational Structure • Sources of Funding • Parks and Recreation Budgeting • Relationships with Other Recreation Providers • Awareness of Recreational Opportunities & Facilities

4. Recreation Inventory • Municipal Facilities • County Facilities • School Facilities • Private and Quasi-Public Facilities • State Parks • Other Local Parks • Trails and Sidewalks • Shopping and Eating • National & State Historical Sites

5. Resource Inventory • Recreational Programming • Soils • Topography • Land Use • Water Resources

6. Description of the Planning Process • Description of the Public Input Process • Surveys • Residential Recreation Survey • Student Recreation Surveys • 3rd through 8th graders • Kindergartners through 2nd graders • Senior Recreation Surveys • Proposed Trail Network • One Month Review Period • Joint Recreation Planning Advisory Committee Meetings • Hillsdale County and the Region 2 Planning Commission • Public Hearing Planning & Public Input Processes

7. Mission Statement • To work collaboratively to provide diverse, year-round recreational opportunities for all, enhance our natural setting and make the Hillsdale area a destination for recreation. • Goals & Objectives • Enhance current and develop new opportunities for Hillsdale area residents and visitors to participate in a variety of recreational activities. • Create a community identity that enhances the City's and Township's positive attributes and natural resources. • Improve the area park system by enhancing existing facilities and planning for expansion of additional recreational spaces. • Expansion and improvement of trails in the City and Township. • Background Information Goals & Objectives

8. Action Program • Action Program • Develop viable/informational website with links to other sites within the County • Create and promote a signature festival in the area • Work with schools on the development of nature centers and environmental projects • Continue to work on expansion of recreational programs and opportunities • Develop a way finding signage system throughout the community • Continue renovation and development in the Baw Beese Park System as well as other area parks • Work on trails connectivity throughout the county • Background Information