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Ferndale outlines final design, funding for Martin Road Park support facility
Summary
Parks staff presented a final site and floor plan for a grant-funded restroom, concessions and storage building at Martin Road Park; construction bidding to start this summer with MDNR approval and work projected to begin after Labor Day.
Ferndale Parks and Recreation Director Lorena Wheeler presented the final site design for a Recreation Support Building at Martin Road Park, telling the City Council the project is fully grant-funded and aimed at increasing restroom capacity and supporting the park’s splash pad and new amenities.
Wheeler said the city has secured $2,156,000 in grant funding — including $704,000 from a community project funded through HUD, $500,000 from a Michigan Community Enhancement Grant and $951,000 from a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Spark Grant — an amount she said matches the current project estimate and would avoid using general fund dollars.
The proposal calls for a single-story building adjacent to the splash pad and pickleball courts with restrooms (men’s, women’s and a family restroom), concessions, splash-pad chemical and equipment storage, a staff office and storage/rental area. Wheeler said the design preserves mature trees and places the building outside of an identified sanitary line to avoid utility conflicts.
Wheeler said the city engaged the public as part of the 2022 parks and recreation master plan and held four community design meetings last year with the project architect, Newman Smith. Key themes from public input, she said, were prioritizing function over size, preserving green space and providing covered seating; the design includes a covered patio and accessible entry points.
Next steps: finalize construction drawings, obtain Michigan Department of Natural Resources approval, issue a request for proposals this summer and select a contractor, Wheeler said. Site prep and demolition are planned to begin after Labor Day to avoid interfering with splash pad season; full construction would continue into the following spring/early summer.
Council members thanked staff and acknowledged earlier input from the Parks and Recreation Commission; no formal action was taken at the meeting beyond the presentation and the city will return to council for contractor approval after the RFP process.
