DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac City Council is taking steps to create its five-year park and open space plan, which will include the development of a trail along Dowagiac Creek to link existing trail systems.

At Monday night’s meeting, the council sought public input from citizens about the future of the city’s parks.

City Manager Kevin Anderson explained that park and open space plans have a five-year shelf life, and the city is required by law to renew the plans every five-years.

Anderson reiterated the document’s importance, as it puts the city in the cycle for grants offered through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Rozanne Scherr, the city of Dowagiac park and open space coordinator, said public comment must remain open for a minimum of 30 days and that city council would like to have the plan available for final approval in late December or for the first council meeting in January. Scherr said both dates would allow the city of Dowagiac to be in the next grant cycle through the DNR.

Scherr outlined conversations city council had in workshops about the next five-year plan, including the development of Linear Park on the west side of East Railroad Street, the development of Mill Pond Park between the Dowagiac Creek and Dowagiac Elks Golf Course, the Development of Elks Trail, a cleanup of the Dowagiac Creek floodplain and Witco ponds and listing the site of the old ICG Building as a public purpose acquisition development.

The plan to develop Rudy Park was moved to a more than five-year plan category.

The Elks trail development would provide a pathway along the Dowagiac Creek from downtown to trails leading to the Southwestern Michigan College’s trail system and the Rudolphi trail system, according to the city of Dowagiac park and open space plan document.

Scherr said the plan is available for public viewing at Dowagiac City Hall and Dowagiac District Library. The plan is also available on the city of Dowagiac website and social media account.

Also passed by city council on Monday night:

• A resolution adopting the changes to the land division application, policies and procedures document and the fee associated with land divisions.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager to start the process of abandoning Poplar Street, located on the south of the corner of Adams and Poplar for Dowagiac Union School District’s land use.