Accessibility will be the top-line priority for the Leland Township parks and recreation department over the next four years. The township’s parks plan, subject to a public hearing this evening (Monday), includes what amounts to a failing report card for the accessibility of Leland parks, beaches, sports fields, and natural areas. The coming years could see substantial improvements on that front, from new walkways at local beaches to playgrounds designed for people of all abilities.

The Leland Township Parks and Recreation Committee spent much of this year developing the new “community recreation plan,” which, if adopted, will steer parks budgets, investments, and improvements from 2026 through 2030.

The meat of the plan is an inventory and overview of the nine parks Leland Township owns and manages, either in part or in full. Those include Bartholomew Park and Nedow's Bay, Drow Field, Grove Park, Hancock Field, John G. Suelzer East Leland Memorial Park, Provemont Pond Recreation Area, Schneider's Beach, Hall/Van’s Beach, and Clay Cliffs Natural Area.

Each park was graded for accessibility on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 indicating that no aspect of the park meets 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and a 5 meaning that the entire park “was developed/renovated using the principals of universal design.” Of the nine parks, eight received 1s; the lone high mark went to Hancock Field, which notched a 4.

Despite the high grade, Hancock is actually slated for the biggest parks project of all, with the new capital improvement plan budgeting $1.75 million for a “full park renovation” between 2027 and 2029. The plan calls for redesigning the 11.34-acre park to suit the “recreation needs” of the community and Leland Public School, which co-manages the park alongside the township. Expenditures will aim to create a park that “can be used year-round, by people of all abilities,” which could include an ice rink, pickleball courts, a high school practice baseball field, soccer fields, a walking/running track, trails, a covered pavilion, and additional accessible parking spaces.

Other parks scheduled for significant improvements include Bartholomew Park and Nedow's Bay, Grove Park, and John Suelzer Memorial Park.

At Bartholomew, the plan calls for nearly $172,000 in investments, including a new “ADA-compliant entry” into the water, both for swimmers and “silent sports crafts” like kayaks. Also mentioned are expansions to the swim area “to create distance from boat traffic,” a new sand maintenance schedule, and the installation of a covered pavilion, a playground, and a permanent restroom.

As for Grove Park, the plan flags the “deteriorating basketball court and tennis court” as areas that need attention, calling for a “redesign to focus on popular sports and recreation needs, amenities, and ADA compliant accessibility updates.” Those estimates include $40,000 for the tennis court restoration in 2026-27 and $75,000 for a broader park renovation in 2027-28.

Finally, plans for John Suelzer Memorial Park span nearly $67,000 worth of improvements over the next few years, including a launch area for kayaks and other non-motorized watercraft, accessible playground equipment, and a new covered pavilion space.

Parks with smaller capital improvement expenditures include Hall Beach, which would get a new portable walkway for accessibility; Provemont Pond, which would get safety upgrades like a new life ring cabinet and a few “No Swimming” signs; and Schneider Park, which would get a new kayak launch.

The remaining two parks – Drow Field and Clay Cliffs – have zero dollars of spending earmarked in the draft capital improvement plan, but could still see some attention. According to the plan, the 5.97-acre Drow Field – owned by Leland Township but managed in partnership with Leelanau St. Mary’s School – “has seen increased usage by Leland Public School, St. Mary’s School, and the Leelanau County Youth League” in recent years “due to the deteriorated condition of the baseball fields at Hancock.” To accommodate the extra usage, the parks plan recommends an extended maintenance schedule.

As for Clay Cliffs, a 101.4-acre natural area owned by Leland Township but managed by the Leelanau Conservancy, the plan recommends exploring new water access options and “development of a non-motorized trail” to connect Clay Cliffs to Leland, Lake Leelanau, and Whaleback Natural Area.

A draft of the parks plan has been available for review online since October 31, and can be read in full here. Tonight’s hearing will occur as part of the  Leland Township Board's regular December meeting, schedled for 7pm at the Leland Library. Parks and rec will review any final comments or suggestions at their December 18 meeting, and the township board is tentatively slated to review and adopt the finished plan at their January 12 meeting.