Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2017 | Press & Media, News & Announcements, Parks and Recreation
Wyoming, Michigan, May 3, 2017 – Wyoming voters yesterday overwhelmingly gave City officials the ability to make much-needed capital improvements in Wyoming parks.
More than 57 percent of voters who cast ballots in the May 2 special election approved the flexible funding initiative, which will allow the City to spend dollars collected under the dedicated Library Maintenance millage for the City’s park system. The request was not an increase in the amount of millage collected and will not reduce the City’s ability to maintain the Kent District Library branch at 3350 Michael Ave. SW.
“We are very pleased that the citizens of Wyoming have given us the flexibility to invest in our park system,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services. “By allowing us to change the way we spend our dedicated Library Maintenance millage, we can make significant capital improvements in four parks: Ferrand, Gezon, Ideal and Jackson.
“This work will enable us to maintain the quality, caliber and safety of our park system, which residents continue to affirm is important to them. We are eager to begin work on these projects, which range from tornado restoration to improved infrastructure.”
According to the five-year Recreation Plan on file with the state of Michigan, the Wyoming Parks systems needs an estimate $23 million in capital improvements. The current Parks and Recreation millage of 1.5 mills annually captures $2.9 million, which is used to fund recreation programs, maintenance services and basic facility upkeep.
With the ability to flex spending, Wyoming intends to make capital improvements in four parks that will include:
• Security and safety improvements
• Public access improvements to comply with the American with Disabilities Act
• Tornado restoration
• Turf and natural habitat restoration
• Improved storm water control
• Infrastructure upgrades
• Flood mitigation
For additional information about the planned capital improvement projects, call the City of Wyoming at 616.530.3164.
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