Willow & Oakwoods Metroparks

Joint Master Plan

Public Meeting #2
Wednesday March 28, 2018
 Today’s Agenda
6:00 – 6:30 pm Presentation
6:30 – 6:45 pm Q&A
6:45 – 7:30 pm Browse, discuss, and comment
 Metroparks Master Plan Process
 6 months for Willow and Oakwoods Joint Master Plan
• Willow-Oakwoods: January 2018- June 2018
 Steering Committee: Planning staff, park operations staff
 Public Input
• Three public meetings
• Questionnaire (online & hard-copy)
• Draft posted on Metroparks website for comment – May 2018
 Board of Commissioners approval
 Willow by the Numbers
Park acreage 1651
Buildings 21
Average building age 35
Picnic shelters 8
Road miles 6.08
Rustic hiking trail miles 0
Nature trail miles 0
Hike-bike trail miles 7.7
TRAILS

Cross country ski trail miles 3.85

Equestrian Trails 0
Mountain bike trails 0
Playgrounds 10
Acres of biodiversity areas 906
Acres encumbered for recreation 1651
Parking Lot Acreage 16.91
Percent of Park Mowed 21
 Oakwoods by the Numbers
Park acreage 1682
Buildings 2
Average building age 43
Picnic shelters 0
Road miles 3.04
Rustic hiking trail miles 0
Nature trail miles 4.69
Hike-bike trail miles 3.88
TRAILS

Cross country ski trail miles 2.89

Equestrian Trails 6.82
Mountain bike trails 0
Playgrounds 0
Acres of biodiversity areas 1436
Acres encumbered for recreation 0
Parking Lot Acreage 4.05
Percent of Park Mowed 3.5
 2017 Total
2017 Revenue Source $ % of Revenue
Golf Course (Wil) 625,771 51%
Tolling (Wil-Oak) 434,740 35% 2017 operations revenues = $2,772,610
Pool (Willow) 92,622 8%
2017 operations expenses = $6,388,637
Nature Center (Oak) 22,319 2%
Boat Rental-Washago (Wil) 10,068 1% Property tax and other revenues
Picnic Shelter (Wil) 18,700 1% subsidized 57% ($3,616,027) of the
Disc Golf (Wil) 6,848 1% 2017 Lower Huron/Willow/Oakwoods
operating budget
Mobile Learning Center (Oak) 17,064 1%
Total 1,228,132 100%

2018 budgeted revenues = $2,905,455

2018 budgeted expenses = $6,277,199

 Area Demographics & Trends

• Huron Township and the City of Flat Rock have a combined estimated population of 25,525
• Slight decrease in percentage of households without cars
• Increase in percentage of population over 65 rising quickly
• Slight decrease of average population density for Wayne County in comparison with a slight
increase for surrounding communities

Recreational Trends
Birding
– The latest National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation,
produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported 47 million people observed birds
around their homes or on trips. Those birding experiences generated more than $100
billion in total industry output.” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Trails
– State government support for regional connectivity (e.g. Iron Belle Trail)
– Surveys show trails (walking, biking, hiking) most popular activity at park
– Nature trails provide opportunity to connect with wildlife in natural habitat
 Community Projects

Romulus Master Plan Regional planning efforts including both public and private
interests have the potential to generate significant future
growth. Partnerships with Wayne County and adjoining
communities have produced regional planning efforts such as
the Detroit Region Aerotropolis
City of Flat Rock Increase public access to the Huron River through acquisition
and enhancement of riverfront properties. River trailways
should be developed to provide river access and to provide a
path and linkage to local businesses, other open spaces, and
recreation areas.
Parks and Recreation Continued partnership with the various area public and private
Master Plan recreation providers. This includes collaborating and
Huron Township coordinating with the Metroparks.
Public Input: What would make visit more enjoyable overall at Willow?
Open-ended question
How many times do you visit? Favorite part or activity at Willow?

Total trips to Willow

 Millennials (19-32) Boomers (52-70)
What is your favorite part of the What is your favorite part of the
park or activity? park or activity?
Public Input: What would make visit more enjoyable overall at Oakwoods?
Open-ended question
How many times do you visit the park? Favorite part or activity at Oakwoods?

Total trips to Oakwoods

 Millennials (19-32) Boomers (52-70)
What is your favorite part of the What is your favorite part of the
park or activity? park or activity?
Major Projects
(2018-2027)
New Park Office at Willow

Needs:
• Standardization
• Modernization
• Accessibility

Solutions:
• Suitable site relocation at Willow
• Building modernization
• Landscaping/beautification
Willow Pool Selective Redevelopment

Needs:
• Reduce building and parking size
• Amenities near pool
• Modernize meeting spaces and food
services

Solutions:
• Partial removal of parking spaces
• Add picnic tables near pool
• Food trucks
 Washago Pond Selective Redevelopment at Willow

Needs:
• Access (water and trails)
• Trailhead improvements
• Replace seawall/dockage

Solutions:
• New hike-bike path
• Realign trail and service drive
• Modernization
Infrastructure Reduction at both Metroparks

Needs:
• Reduce impervious surfaces
• Less maintenance
• Under utilized infrastructure

Solutions:
• Remove surface lots
• Reconfigure certain parking areas,
• Roadways, and small structures
Cedar Knoll Parking and River Access at Oakwoods

Needs:
• Parking access
• River access
• Water trail amenities

Solutions:
• Eliminate surface parking
• Add paths to river
• Develop canoe launch
Playground near Oakwoods Nature Center

Needs:
• Amenities at Nature Center
• Playground concept plan
• Recreation for younger age groups

Solutions:
• Consider concept of naturalized
playground
• Activate the parking area
Partial Relocation of Disc Golf Course at Willow

Needs:
• Facility updates
• Drainage issues
• Maintenance

Solutions:
• Consider concept of naturalized
playground
• Activate the parking area
Other projects

• Hike-bike trail connectivity

improvements at Willow
• Install trailhead structures on hike-
bike trails for both Metroparks
• Implement Oakwoods Nature
Center interpretive exhibit plan
• Grasslands restoration at Oakwoods
• Willow Golf Course: replace
irrigation lines, UST with AST