City to apply for grant to expand Rotary Park

STERLING HEIGHTS — The wheels are turning on a plan to potentially increase the size of Rotary Park.

The City Council voted unanimously March 21 to adopt a resolution supporting a move to apply for a state grant that could fund the purchase of 3.5 acres of nearby property to expand Rotary Park. The hoped-for aid would come from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Development Grant.

The properties the city wants to obtain are at 37328 and 37356 Utica Road, which are next to and west of Rotary Park. The city says a business, Clinton River Canoe and Kayak, currently owns the land. The business did not respond for comment by press time.

Rotary Park is near Hayes Road, at the eastern end of the Clinton River water trail in the city. Due to its proximity to the Clinton River, the park is a popular destination for local kayakers and canoers.

Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Langlois discussed how the city, with its new Bocce Barn, just finished the last part of its 2016 Recreating Recreation plan. He explained that this Rotary Park plan is a new, separate initiative.

“This is a very unique project and an opportunity for us to expand our footprint down at Rotary Park,” Langlois said. “Rotary Park, as mentioned, is really a gateway to Sterling Heights from the east, and we have a great thing going with the river running through Rotary Park and having our universally accessible paddle landing at that site.”

According to Langlois, consulting firm Wade Trim is working with the city to prepare the grant application’s submission.

“We’re trying to find some money for the city,” Wade Trim’s Wayne Hofmann said during the meeting. He said that in order for the city to get the grant, the state requires a site development plan.

Hofmann explained that the city’s site development plan would put a building for canoe and kayak rentals, a restroom facility, a maintenance storage building, a park office, and additional parking on the acquired land.

“Everything that’s in here, you’re not committed to do, but the state wants to see that you have a plan to keep this in recreational use,” he said.

The four parcels of property are reportedly valued by the city assessor at an estimated total of $262,800, Hofmann said. With additional fees for things like title insurance and an environmental assessment, that cost could climb to around $279,400, he said.

If the city puts up over 25% of the total cost, it’ll get “extra points” toward making it likelier to obtain the grant, Hofmann explained.

If the city chooses to pay 30% of the cost, the grant would pay for about $195,580, and the city would pay $83,820, he explained.

According to a city document, the city’s portion could be paid with American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds.

Councilwoman Maria Schmidt said she uses Rotary Park and that she wondered whether the city would eventually take a role in renting out kayaks. Langlois said the city will study its options, whether that means a public-private partnership or the city doing the service by itself.

“But the best part about it is if we get our hands on this property, we have options,” he said.

Langlois said the grant process could take around 12 to 18 months. A document in the city’s board packet said the trust fund board could make final recommendations by this December.

Rotary Park is located at 37250 Utica Road in Sterling Heights. Learn more about Sterling Heights’ parks by visiting www.myshpr.net or by calling (586) 446-2700.