Parks and recreation update: Riverwalk bridge awaiting bolts, community center procurement moves forward

Board liaisons and staff gave detailed updates on multiple parks, trails and facilities projects during the meeting.

Drayton Plains Nature Center: Caretaker Josh reported storm damage to several trees that has been cleaned up, and recent ARPA‑funded work including a new bathroom at the caretaker house and new entry doors at the main building. Seasonal and year‑round positions remain open; seasonal pay starts at $16 per hour for camp staff. Controlled burns are scheduled ahead of April 15, officials said.

Riverwalk project: The board was told the bridge structure is completed and awaiting delivery of galvanized bolts before the bridge abutments can be poured. The concrete abutment must cure for about a week after pouring; the bridge itself is staged in Ohio pending frost conditions and abutment completion. Precision Landscape and an irrigation contractor stand ready to plant and install an underground water line; newly planted trees will require gator bag watering every two to three days and volunteer help is requested for summer watering schedules. A ribbon‑cutting and opening events will be publicized in water bills and invitations have gone to elected officials and outdoor art participants.

Community Center and procurement: The community center construction team opened proposals for architectural/engineering firms and construction managers; 11 A/E and 10 construction management firms submitted. The proposal review and scoring process using the Plante Moran RealPoint criteria is underway.

Hess Hathaway: The Kettering Environmental Club will do Earth Day cleanup at Hess Hathaway Park on April 22; the caretaker position for the park remains open with an anticipated move‑in date of June 1. Community garden plot registration opened March 17 for Waterford and White Lake Township residents; organizers reported a majority of plots have been reserved by returning gardeners.

Hess Hathaway avian influenza: The board received an update that the avian influenza (HPAI) quarantine at Hess Hathaway began in January 2025; the date recorded for the end of the quarantine is May 12, pending approval from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). A sustainable agriculture coordinator will advise on manure handling; 60 cubic yards of donated wood chips will be distributed as directed by MDARD and the township DPW will place them in designated areas.

Volunteers and events: The township's Earth Day cleanup will be Saturday, April 26; volunteers should bring landscaping tools and will receive supplies at the civic center. The township also announced yard‑waste changes for priority customers and a May 26 Memorial Day parade route. Officials asked residents interested in volunteer planting and ribbon‑cutting tasks to sign up through township channels.

No formal board action to change funding or contracts for these projects was recorded in tonight's meeting notes; the trustees received the reports for information and procedural follow up.