general management planning public input open house 2011 dnr parks & recreation division...
TRANSCRIPT
General Management Planning
Public Input Open House
2011
DNR Parks & Recreation Division
Assisted by Birchler Arroyo Associates
GMP Phase 1 Planning Process
Benchmarks Kick-off Meeting
Planning Team Meeting 1: Core Values
Planning Team Meeting 2: Draft Management Zones
Stakeholders Workshop
Public Participation Workshop (today)
Planning Team Meeting 3: Review Final Draft Plan
Purpose of Today’s Meeting
Review statements of significance for Pinckney & Waterloo Recreation Areas What is special about each park? Why is each park significant? What types of recreation activities and management actions
are appropriate within areas of the parks?
Review draft management zones for Pinckney & Waterloo Recreation Areas that support each park’s unique identity
11,000 acres ( most are in a natural state)
More than 25 major lakes
64 miles of internal trails
Trail connection to the region via the Lakelands trail
1 modern and 2 rustic campgrounds and a yurt
2 day use areas
Pinckney Recreation AreaGeneral Characteristics
Pinckney Recreation AreaNatural Features
Chain of lakes that create a water trail for boaters
Potential habitat area for threatened and endangered species
Several areas of prairie fens
Wet mesic and mesic sand prairies
Pinckney Recreation Area Facilities 2 day use areas
186 site modern campground
2 rustic campgrounds offering a total of 30 sites
11 boat launch sites
64 miles of internal trials
Pinckney Recreation Area Activities & Programs
Camping Hiking Mountain biking Equestrian trials Cross-country skiing Boating Swimming Fishing Hunting Picnicking Bird watching / wildlife viewing
Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Purpose
To be used as a public park
To preserve Park’s unique natural resources for current and future generations
To provide diverse recreational opportunities to nearby populations
To provide educational and interpretive opportunities that reflect the DNR mission and unique qualities of Pinckney Recreation Area
Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Significance
Park offers hunting, trapping, and fishing opportunities, which are unique in southeast Michigan
Offers an “up north” feel in lower Michigan, due to its land mass and natural features
Hosts a great diversity of users – hunters, birders, trail runners, geo-cachers, equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers, fishermen/women
Offers a variety of camping opportunities.
Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Significance
Internal trail system that provides external connections to the region
Large potential habitat area, unique geology, and wildlife corridors for threatened and endangered species
Archeological and pre-historic sites that offer educational opportunities
A chain of lakes that create a water trail for boaters
Pinckney Recreation Area Statements of Significance
A destination for health and fitness group events and training, as well as recreation for individual users
Frequently used for University of Michigan classes and research due to its proximity to the U of M biological research station
U of M’s Stinchfield Woods offers a potential trail connection to the HCMA’s Hudson Mills and Dexter-Huron metroparks
Management Zone Resource Visitor Development
Pristine Restricted None
Ecologically Sensitive
Primitive
Backcountry
Cultural Landscape
History Education
Scenic
Natural Resource Recreation
Developed Recreation
Administrative
Highly Modified
High Use Highly Developed
Management Zones
Pinckney Recreation Area Draft Management Zone Plan
Pinckney Recreation Area Primitive Zone
Low impact traffic to preserve and protect the natural communities
Hiking, hunting, trapping, fishing, cross-country skiing, nature observation
Opportunities for ecology education
Significant sense of solitude Low impact management focus
with limited evidence of human activity
Pinckney Recreation Area Backcountry Zone
Natural resources modified slightly to support visitor use
Applies to trails and allows for non-motorized outdoor activity
Low noise tolerance and low interaction with others
Self-reliant visitor activities with management focus on low impact activity and natural resource quality
Pinckney Recreation Area Developed Recreation Zone High use areas, including the
campgrounds High level of visitor
encounters Management focus on public
safety and universal access High level of development,
including parking lots, restrooms, campground, cabins
Pinckney Recreation Area Visitor Services Zone
All administrative office and maintenance operations
Visitor experience limited to business office and information
Focus on business of running the park
Pinckney Recreation Area Detailed Section Map
Waterloo Recreation Area
21,000 acres
Swimming beaches
Rustic and modern camping sites
Many miles of trails offering hiking, cross county skiing, and equestrian opportunities
Educational and interpretive services
Waterloo Recreation AreaGeneral Characteristics
Waterloo Recreation AreaNatural Features 17 major lakes ranging from
7 to 531 acres
Large intact wetland system at Portage Lake
Many exemplary natural communities and rare plant and animal species
Black spruce bog
An exemplary aquatic community at Doyle Lake
Waterloo Recreation Area Facilities Swimming beaches
Eddy Visitor Center
300 modern and 50 rustic campsites
Picnic shelters
Hiking, equestrian, cross country ski trails
Portage Lake concession/store
Waterloo Recreation Area Activities & Programs Camping Hiking Picnicking Cross-country skiing Wildlife viewing / bird watching Swimming Fishing Horseback riding Hunting in certain areas Educational and Interpretive programs Metal detecting in designated areas
Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Purpose
To be used as a public park
To preserve the park’s unique natural resources for current and future generations
To provide diverse recreational opportunities to nearby populations
To provide educational and interpretive opportunities that reflect the DNR mission and unique qualities of Waterloo Recreation Area
Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Significance
Features more rare animal and plant species, and exemplary natural communities, than any other park in the State system
Co-managed by the Wildlife and Parks Recreation Division
Third largest property in the State park system
Largest State park system property in the Lower Peninsula
Contains a rich cultural history
Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Significance
Eddy Discovery Center offers a nature study area and interpretive activities
A variety of camping opportunities are available, including rustic sites and modern campgrounds
Offers an “up north” feel in southeast lower Michigan due to its combined land mass and natural features
Has several important volunteer programs
Waterloo Recreation Area Statements of Significance
Park is used by several organizations located nearby
Contains designated Natural Beauty Roads
Idle stable facility has potential to provide additional horseback riding opportunities
Motor boat launches and “quiet” boating opportunities available
Waterloo Recreation Area Draft Management Zone Plan
Waterloo Recreation Area Primitive Zone
Native species and natural processes take precedence over visitor accommodations
Hiking, backpacking, primitive camping , cross-country skiing, nature observation, hunting, trapping, and fishing
Ecological education opportunities
Experience natural feel, sense of solitude, lack of man-made improvements
WRA - Primitive Draft Management Zone Plan
Waterloo Recreation Area Backcountry Zone
Natural resources modified slightly to support visitor use
Applies to trails and allows for non-motorized outdoor activity
Low noise tolerance and low interaction with others
Management focus on low-impact character with emphasis on natural resource quality
WRA - Backcountry Draft Management Zone Plan
Waterloo Recreation Area Natural Resource Recreation
Development can include parking lots, accessible trails, picnic facilities and similar improvements
Natural resources are protected
Visitors will experience interaction with other visitors
Management focus on universal access
WRA - Natural Resource Recreation Draft Management Zone Plan
Waterloo Recreation Area Developed Recreation Zone Natural resources actively managed and modified to
support visitor activities
Modern and cabin camping, boating, canoeing, kayaking, nature observation, day-use beach, picnicking
Public safety, protection of resources, and universal access are management priorities
High level of development to support visitor activities
WRA - Developed Recreation Draft Management Zone Plan
Waterloo Recreation Area Visitor Services Zone
Visitors obtain information at park headquarters
High level of development for support of administrative activities
Management in this zone focuses on business of running the park
WRA - Visitor Services
Waterloo Recreation Area Cultural Overlay Zone Historical and cultural structures,
remnants, and landscapes preserved
Engage in recreational and educational activities related to historic development, prehistoric peoples and Native Americans that settled the area
Management focus on maintaining cultural character of zone with emphasis on developed recreation opportunities
WRA - Cultural Overlay
Waterloo Recreation Area Scenic Overlay Zone High encounters expected
Maintain quality viewscapes and public safety
Development to support visitor access and interpretive activities
WRA - Scenic Overlay Draft Management Zone Plan
Waterloo Recreation Area Detailed Section Map
Pinckney & Waterloo Rec Areas For Additional Information
PROJECT WEBSITEhttp://www.birchlerarroyo.com/Clients/DNR-RD.htm
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PHONE248.423.1776