Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Hancock’s new recreation pier offers far more than the previous dock, with a platform from which people can jump into the water, and a spot for mooring of larger motorized craft. The new pier also features an independent structure for launching kayaks and canoes, and is full accessible to wheelchair reliant paddlers.

The Hancock City Council is holding a virtual public hearing on Dec. 16 to accept comment on the draft 5-year recreation plan. The meeting starts at 6 p.m., and connection information for computers or phones will be available from the cityofhancock.net.

The plan covers the years 2021 through 2025, and was developed by the Recreation Commission using input from a survey that was sent out, as well as other collected public comment. The plan is not only an organizational tool, but allows the city to apply for grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other organizations. Much of the recreational spending in Hancock is paid for through grants from local non-profit organizations and the DNR, which offers a variety of 50/50 and 25/75 matching grants.

The recreation plan, which is available from city hall or on their website at cityofhancock.net, includes a list and description of current recreation opportunities in the city, as well as projects completed in the last five years. According to the document, $945,835 has been spent on recreation in the city since 2016. Some of this money comes from the city budget, but most of it is from voter-approved recreational millages, grants from government agencies, and donations from community groups.

The smallest investments from the last five years were the pickle ball court in Laurn-Grove Park and the companion swing in Porvoo park, each at $1,000. The largest was the $380,000 for the recreational pier at the city beach. The pier was paid for in large part with a $280,000 DNR Passport grant, with matching funds coming from the city’s recreation millage and the local rotary club.

The survey used to collect comments was sent to all city residents, but also available to anyone using city recreation sites. The shared survey results show that 85.3% of the 326 responses were from city residents. You can view the full survey results at bit.ly/3qLh5Q2.

Comments collected in the survey ranged from those simply thanking the committee for taking public feedback and caring enough to plan the city’s recreation to suggestions that city property taxes should be lowered rather than spending money on parks. 

Other comments included requests for minor improvements to sporting equipment, new cycling and pedestrian routes, community garden space, a splash pad, and downtown murals.

The committee took these comments into consideration, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act goals of making recreational spaces accessible to those with trouble walking or requiring the use of a wheelchair or other equipment, and used them to designate priorities for the next five years.

Already planned for 2021 is the addition of playground equipment to Klondike Park on the corner of Crestwood Drive and Poplar Street, and an update to the campground showers which will make them ADA compliant. Also in the plan for 2021 is new equipment and trail repairs for Maasto Hiihto trails, and a storage shed for Schaaf Field. The cost of all of these together is $355,500, but the bulk of that expense is the FEMA-reimbursed trail repairs at $250,000.

Other projects slated for the next five years include upgrades to the mouth of the Swedetown Creek area, expansion of the campground boat launch and piers, paving the DNR trail north of Prospect Street and adding fitness stations, a paved bicycle and pedestrian path along Navy Street, and working toward acquiring the Swedetown Creek Ski Trail land.

These address many of the priorities seen in the survey responses. More than 100 survey responses said that building a shoreline walkway to the bridge was more important than other recreational development in the city. Rebuilding and growing the Swedetown Creek trails was similarly popular.

The recreation commission membership includes Deb Mann, Amanda Jackson, John Diebel, Michael Lancour, Bill Marlor, Jeff Kelley, Dan Seguin, John Haeussler, Craig Pellizzaro and Dave Dow.

Comments can also be submitted to the city council in writing at ‘City of Hancock Recreation Committee, 399 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI, 49930.’