10212026_Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting

The Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on October 22, 2026, covered park operations, capital projects, funding, and community feedback. The commission discussed pickleball court work at Miles Kimmerly Park: a $15,000 budget for court conversion proved insufficient, so the county instead restriped existing tennis courts for $1,800. A fuller conversion was estimated at roughly $54,000, with one RFP bid reportedly around $43,000–$45,000. Staff and commissioners discussed installing the already-owned nets and posts so the courts can be used. The playground grant application for Miles Kimmerly Park remains pending additional scoring review. The Old Settlers Park project was deferred amid concerns about the required matching funds, including a discussed $150,000 match; the remaining parks capital-improvement funds were approved for transfer to the capital budget, with the final amount to be determined at year-end. No contract award or new spending authorization was recorded in these discussions.

Other project and procurement-related topics included fundraising for improvements to the historic barn, exploring private or corporate funding for the Veronica Valley pavilion, and obtaining three quotes for removal of a hazardous tree; a comparable tree-removal job was cited at $2,700. The commission also discussed survey feedback, a future Friends of the Parks organization, website and event-calendar updates, and proposed 2027 parks staffing changes. The agenda and September 16 meeting minutes were approved by vote; no other spending-related motions were identified.