5-21-20 (Special)

The Davison Township Board of Trustees convened a special meeting on May 21, 2020, to address the management of the township's parks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parks and Recreation Director Casey Reed presented CDC guidelines and survey results from over 380 residents, highlighting a significant community interest in utilizing the lake if safety protocols were met.

The discussion focused on implementing a tiered approach to park access. While certain areas like the Black Creek Trail and Williams Nature Center trails would remain open under social distancing guidelines, more high-risk areas like the Dog Park and Kitchen School rental facilities would remain closed. The Board considered various operational strategies, including limiting vehicle capacity at Lake Callis and providing necessary sanitation supplies and signage to ensure public safety.

• Tim Elkins: Supervisor
• Cindy Shields: Clerk
• Pat Miller: Treasurer
• Travis Howell: Trustee
• Matthew Karr: Board Member (via phone)
• Casey Reed: Parks & Rec. Director
• Rhonda Clark: Recording Secretary

The meeting centered on the Summer 2020 Parks System Plan. Key components of the discussed plan included: * Black Creek Trail: Open, with signage for monitoring and guidelines. * Dog Park: Closed until stay-at-home orders are lifted; future use will be limited by capacity and signage. * Kitchen School: Rental facilities to remain closed until stay-at-home orders are lifted. * Lake Callis: Beach and fishing areas to open with a limit of 150 cars to maintain social distancing. A suggestion was made to allow free access during working hours with strict adherence to signage. * Williams Nature Center: Trails open with social distancing; rental areas to remain closed. * Operational Requirements: Implementation of PPE, cleaning solutions, patrolling, security, and the potential addition of port-a-johns.

• May 21, 2020: Date of the special meeting.
• June 1, 2020: The timeframe mentioned as the earliest MParks Region members might open rental/gathering facilities.

• Davison Township Municipal Building: 1280 N. Irish Road, Davison, MI 48423.
• Township Parks: Black Creek Trail, Dog Park, Kitchen School, Lake Callis, and Williams Nature Center.

The meeting was called to balance the community's desire for outdoor recreation (as evidenced by survey results) with the necessity of following CDC guidelines and local health mandates to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Staff Preparation: Ensure staff are equipped with PPE, cleaning solutions, and protocols for patrolling/security.
• Signage: Post guidelines and "use at own risk" notices at all open park locations.
• Sanitation: Evaluate the addition of port-a-johns at each park.
• Re-evaluation: Re-assess all park operations once "Stay Home" orders are officially lifted.