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Fraser council highlights parks, mural, tree plantings and election reminders; residents praise pickleball program
Summary
Council and residents discussed a new mural, upcoming tree plantings and community events, a proposed Stephens Park reimagining, and a resident-led pickup of pickleball programming; staff provided an election update and a county speed-study summary for Hays Road.
Fraser City Council used part of its Oct. 9 meeting to highlight community events and hear residents speak about parks and programming.
Resident Joseph Zoots told the council that the 'Learn to Play' pickleball program and recent court renovations at Stephens Park succeeded in reactivating the courts and fostering community connections. Zoots praised recreation coordinator Chris and volunteers for launching and sustaining the program: "Chris was a spark that lit the flame for change at our parks," he said.
Resident Laura Lesage and councilmembers also thanked the Frasier First Booster Club and artist Krista Chameleon for a new 'Be the Spark' mural visible from 14 Mile Road and described community outreach about reimagining Stephens Park. Lesage summarized resident input — walking path, splash pad, zip line, event space, community garden and a mini playground — and invited volunteers to an Oct. 15 Frasier First Booster Club meeting and to a beautification planting on Oct. 18. She supplied a volunteer contact at vanya@fraserfirst.com.
City Manager Levin announced volunteer tree plantings with Relief Michigan and DPW (20 two-inch-caliper trees to be planted in Spring Court on Oct. 25 at 9 a.m.) and encouraged residents to sign up. Levin also updated council on the state budget estimates (an approximate 33% increase in Act 51 road funds, an estimated $73,000 drop in revenue sharing, and eligibility for about $32,000 in new public safety funding) and on downtown progress (bank demolition complete and tentative building activity planned for the week of Oct. 13).
On election logistics, staff noted the Nov. 4 local election will include three city council seats and two library-board seats; about 3,100 absentee ballots have been issued and roughly 425 had been returned at the briefing. The council also reviewed a county speed study recommending a change on Hays Road between 13 and 14 Mile Road to 40 mph and leaving 45 mph between 14 and 15 Mile Road; staff outlined the concurrence process with county/state authorities.
Council urged residents to vote and to participate in upcoming community events. The council did not take policy action on the Stephens Park ideas during the meeting; the ideas were presented as community input for future planning.
