Chesterfield Township allocates ARPA funds for park projects – The Voice

With the help of federal funds, parks and recreation areas in Chesterfield Township are being strengthened.

The Board of Trustees recently allocated nearly $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act for local parks and trail improvements. On June 25, Board of Trustees members voted 6-1 to allocate $219,000 for the following projects:

• Municipal Office Site: Pedestrian Bridge Improvements: $44,000

• Brandenburg Park: ADA Kayak Launch: $25,000

• Webber Paddle Park: Simple deck for improved kayak launch: $25,000

• Salt River Nature Preserve: ADA kayak launch: $25,000

• Engineering and design work for the Connie M. Bowles Memorial Park: $100,000

The motion also included $100,000 to build a bridge over the Salt River in Pollard Park, but that amount was removed from the list at the request of Trustee Brian Scott DeMuynck, seconded by Trustee David Joseph. Secretary Cindy Berry voted against it.

“We know from discussions with the Department of Public Safety that they’re going to need some items in their budget,” DeMuynck said. “I’d be happy to spend more money on that.”

In addition, the board unanimously voted on June 11 to use $250,000 in ARPA funds to rehabilitate the trail surrounding the township office. The work will include repairing the base, removing and lowering the existing cross culverts, and adding a 2-inch hot mix asphalt overlay.

“There is a lot of traffic on these roads. … I think this is a good use of ARPA funds and will directly benefit local residents,” Joseph said after making the motion to approve the application.

On June 25, Treasurer Kathy Elliott thanked the board for recognizing the needs at Connie M. Bowles Memorial Park at the southeast corner of 25 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue.

“There has never been access to a playground or park on this side of I-94, so it’s good that we recognize that,” Elliott said in a board statement. “I hope we continue to work on the needs of Pollard Park. … I have grandchildren who live in the community, and I keep hearing that the mothers of the community are leaving the community because there is no access to proper playground equipment here, so this is important to me.”

Supervisor Brad Kersten agreed that improvements are needed at both parks.

“Pollard Park — there needs to be a renovation,” he said. “The fields need to be redesigned. We have drainage issues up there. The fences need to be replaced. The shelters need to be replaced.”

ARPA funds distributed in 2021 and 2022 from the federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund must be obligated by the end of this year. The municipality received a total of about $4.9 million in ARPA funds, with about $325,000 remaining after the most recent allocations.

The community provided $100,000 of ARPA funds to purchase Brandenburg Park, about $700,000 for the park’s boat ramp, about $390,000 for a modern water meter reading system, nearly $200,000 for the Jefferson Avenue walkway, and $2.8 million to purchase Sugarbush Elementary School, which houses the community center.

“My approach to ARPA funding has always been the common good of the community and what serves the greatest needs of our community,” Kersten said at the June 25 meeting.

The township’s use of ARPA funds has prompted many citizens to speak at previous board meetings. Several people spoke about the allocations on June 25.

“This committee managed to spend almost all of the $4.9 million on parks and recreation,” said resident Janice Young. “It’s very disappointing. … I can’t believe we couldn’t have used those funds better.”

Local resident Christopher Pierik also disagreed with the municipality’s use of the funds.

“Let’s fix the things that are broken now,” he said. “And that’s not what the residents wanted, judging by the meetings I’ve attended or seen.”

Others advocated spending the money on parks.

“It’s a great way to give back to the entire community,” said resident Alan Christ.

Michelle Merriwether spoke of a “recreational gap” in her hometown, the growing area around 24 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue.

“The children and families are really craving this recreational opportunity. … I ask that we continue to focus on what recreational opportunities we can use to support the families in this part of Chesterfield,” she said.