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CITY OF GLADSTONE By Kim Fadala Gladstone Nature Preserve The idea to develop the large marsh area located off of North 15th Street in Gladstone, Michigan came from the Gladstone Community Development Committee. This committee meets once a month to discuss various projects and ideas and is made up of citizens, city officials and city staff. The Gladstone City Commission approved the Nature Preserve Project, included it in the Master Plan to become a city-owned park maintained by the City of Gladstone and open for educational opportunities for area residents and tourists. The project will be completed in two phases as funding becomes available. The first phase consists of a parking lot with a gate installed across the road to separate parking from the walking path. We will gravel the parking area, place “Happy Rocks” (large stones) for a border, add restrooms near the parking lot, a walking path from the parking lot east for about 525 feet, two observation platforms and benches and signage throughout the marsh. The parking lot and gate were completed in late fall and the remaining of Phase I is to be completed in early spring 2007. Funding for Phase I totaling $12,000 was generously donated by Wildlife Unlimited for $8,000.00, UP Whitetails for $2,000.00 and the Delta County Conservation District for $2,000.00. City Staff is working with the Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) for grant opportunities, and boardwalk and observation platform designs. Labor for the project will be completed using volunteers from the Gladstone Breakfast Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Bay Pines Center, Wild Ones and in-kind support from the Gladstone Department of Public Works. Plans for Phase II include a boardwalk, additional observation platforms, benches/ picnic tables, an additional walking trail, signage and wetlands and wildlife educational brochures. Phase II will be completed as funding becomes available through grants and/or donations to the park. If you would like more information to donate or volunteer please contact Howard Haulotte, City of Gladstone Community Development Director at (906) 428-4586 or hhaulotte@gladstonemi.com. The next Gladstone Community Development Committee Meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM February 1, 2007 at the Gladstone Public Safety Department. |
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