By Staff
The 2006-2011 Cass County Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Plan is available for public review and comments.
Purpose of the plan is to create a vision for recreation in this county and to guide the development of the parks to fulfill that vision.
At the public visioning session in April, those in attendance were asked to answer a few questions about their use of the parks and what they would like to see in the future.
Cass County resident responses included requests for county-wide bike trails, multi-use trails, horse trailsand more picnic benches.
The following quotes were among the many comments received:
"I think fishing decks for family fishing would be nice for those who can't afford to live on a lake."
"I see parks and nature areas as places to protect, learn from, enhance and keep intact for future generations."
"I would like organized nature walks with knowledgeable leaders including night star-walks."
"I think family activities are essential."
"You should advertise the parks better."
Outdoor recreation is making a tremendous contribution to the American economy.
The following information comes from a 2006 report by the Outdoor Industry Foundation.
"Americans spend money, create jobs and support local communities when they get outdoors. Simple, healthy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping or wildlife viewing generate enormous economic power and fuel a far-reaching ripple effect that touches many of the nation's major economic sectors."
The report further notes that the recreation economy:
Contributes $730 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Generates $88 billion in annual state and national tax revenue.
Provides sustainable growth in rural communities.
Many Cass County residents participate in healthy outdoor activities and the county has an abundant supply of natural resources that, combined with responsible use, can make those activities very enjoyable.
Evidence shows that having fun and staying healthy is a major contribution to the health of our economy, too.
The recreation plan steering committee took the survey responses and the results of the public visioning session into consideration as they developed nine goals that represent what county residents desire for the parks' future.
What do you say?
The draft plan is available through Oct. 15 at the following locations in Cassopolis:
Cass County Clerk's office at 120 North Broadway
Cass Council on Aging at 60525 Decatur Road
Cass County Parks Department at 340 N. O'Keefe St.
Cass District Library at 319 M-62 N., Cassopolis
Other locations are:
Edwardsburg Branch Library at 36745 Church St., Edwardsburg
Howard Branch Library at 2341 Yankee St., Niles
Mason/Union Branch Library at 17049 US-12, Edwardsburg
Dowagiac District Library at 211 Commercial St., Dowagiac
The plan can also be viewed on the Parks Department website at www.casscountymi.org/parks/ and the Southwestern Michigan Commission website at www.swmicomm.org.