Oakland Township Sentinel has sorted  entries in 2017 PRC minutes by 58 subject categories into a 128 page pdf  document titled “PRC Meetings 2017” This pdf is available above under “Useful Reference Material / Parks and Recreation” menu.

Some key items in 2017 were:

• 209 acres were acquired to expand 60-acre Stony Creek Nature Park (a Township Park that is directly north of, but not to be confused with, Stony Creek Metropark.) The cost was about $2,900,000 with about 75% from a Michigan Natural Trust Fund Grant (State land oil and gas lease money)
• Gallagher Creek Park development plans with picnic and play areas were solidified. (9 pages)
• Paint Creek Trail Bridge 33.7 plans ($750,000 – mostly grants) were solidified for replacement in summer of 2018 (42 pages)
• Plans were made to have kayaking at Draper Twin Lakes Park.
• Dr. Ben is on top of fighting invasive species,  including phragmites,,  and restoring prairies with a new truck
• Encroachment has been dealt with through letters to residents, surveys, markers, police contact and courts when necessary.
• Events draw ever larger numbers of residents – Goodison Good Thyme, Winter Carnival, Open Houses at Lost Lake Nature Park, Music in the Meadows, Sledding
• PRC continues to work cooperatively with the Historic District Commission to assure a seamless fit between Cranberry Lake Park and the Historical Cranberry Lake Farm & Farmhouse
• As required by our Zoning Ordinance site plans for a new housing development were reviewed
• PRC, especially Commissioner Blust, made  constructive comments to Planning Commission regarding the all-important Master Land Use Plan.
• PRC Honored past PRC members

PRC minutes, prepared by long-time Recording Secretary, Ingrid R. Kliffel, are the “Gold Standard” of township minutes. By reading PRC minutes one can get an excellent summary of what transpired at each meeting. You get the all-important deliberation leading up to a vote, including summaries of what each citizen had to say.

You can get all the background on an issue or issues, without watching hours of meetings or videotapes. If you choose to get involved you can do so from a better informed viewpoint.

I encourage you to read the minutes each month to see if there is anything you may want to give input to PRC in person or by email. I failed to do this in 2017. I regret missing the opportunity to support long-time township resident Marty McClure on his concerns about Paint Creek Trail Bridge 33.7 design.