Waltz Park
Improvement
Village of Waltz
Huron Charter Township
Elke B. Doom
Township Supervisor
Huron Charter Township
22950 Huron River Drive
New Boston, MI., 48164
January 15, 2012
Statement of Problem
The Village of Waltz was established in 1887. It was built in the style
of many turn of the century towns that flourished to support the
farming industry. Homes and businesses are crowded together, roads
are narrow, sidewalks are few, as is typical of homes built before
ordinances and building codes. Due to the early development and
layout of the village, there is no active or passive recreation available
to the residents.
Facts
The Village of Waltz is located in the southwest corner of Huron
Township and borders Monroe County.
In 1947, 22 acres of land was donated by the Kahlbaum family to the
Waltz Improvement Association (a group of civic-minded residents) for
recreational use. For many years, the land was used for annual
festivals, ball games, and homecoming festivities. In time the
activities ceased, buildings fell into disrepair; little was left but
memories of long ago events.
In 2009, the Waltz Improvement Association deeded the 22-acre parcel
to the Township of Huron. On this site sits a covered pavilion,
crumbling outbuildings, and a bathroom. The site has a working septic
system for the bathroom, water, electricity, 4 stadium lights from the
days of ball playing.
The buildings are in disrepair, the bathrooms are not handicap
accessible, and the largest barn is unsafe due to years of water
leakage. The stadium lights do not work and the ball field has
become a grassy field.
In addition, the township has acquired an adjacent 80-acre parcel
through a tax foreclosure and plans to develop both parcels into one
large recreation area and nature park.
This 102 acre combined parcel was officially named Waltz Park in
2010. As it will take many years to develop the entire area of land, the
focus of this Capstone project will be on the 22-acre parcel donated to
the township in 2009.
The Project
For purposes of this class project, I will focus on phase one, two, and
three on the 22-acre parcel. Phase one and two are underway and
phase three is anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2012.
The long-term vision for this project will be to develop the entire 102acre site into an active and passive recreation area for use by all of our
township residents. I envision park benches, walking/biking trails,
fields for soccer and baseball, playground equipment, concession
stands and handicap accessible bathrooms.
Phase 1
o Order boundary survey of the 22 acre parcel
o Order wetland survey of the 22 acre parcel
o Engage engineering firm to assist in layout and design of
a regulation ball field and soccer field
o Engage engineering firm to work with the County for
required field drainage
o Pull permits required by the County for drainage
requirements
Phase 2
o Determine which outbuildings can be restored
o Determine which buildings should be tagged as unsafe
o Refurbish existing (non-handicap) bathrooms
o Bring electrical service up to code
o Enhance and enlarge existing gravel parking lot
Phase 3
o Lay drain tile to remove water from the future field(s)
o Begin construction of a regulation ball field
o Restore the concession stand and/or outbuildings
o Refurbish the existing bathroom
o Install 2 park benches
Anticipated Project Benefits
The benefits from this project will be:

To provide the community a park with active and passive
recreational activities for all ages

Provide the Little League with a regulation playing field to ease
the shortage of playing fields in the township

Provide benches for people to sit and enjoy the park

The final and less tangible benefit from this phase of the project
is to engage the citizens in planning the future phases of the
entire park area
Estimated Cost of the Project

Survey of the 22 acre parcel $7,800

Commission a drainage study $6,000

Bring electrical service up to code $7,800

Take inventory of the condition of existing buildings $0
(volunteer inspections by our building official)

Repaint and repair bathrooms $0 (supplies donated by local
merchants and labor provided by local service organizations)

Build a regulation size ball field $26,000

Refurbish pavilion and concession stand $12,000 (materials
only) labor donated

2 park benches $800

Parking lot expansion $0 (gravel donated from developers,
leveled by township DPW workers)

Total project cost : $60,400
Project Time Frame
Phase 1 to be completed by June of 2012
Order survey of the 22 acres
Order wetland survey of the 22 acres
Engage engineering firm to assist in design and layout of a
regulation ball field and soccer field
Engage engineering firm to work with the County for required
field drainage
Pull permits required by the County for drainage requirements
Phase 2 to be completed by August of 2012
Enhance and enlarge existing gravel parking lot
Determine which outbuildings can be restored
Determine which buildings should be tagged as unsafe
Refurbish existing (non-handicap) bathrooms
Bring electrical service up to code
Phase 3 to be completed by October of 2012
Lay drain tile to remove water from the future field(s)
Begin construction of a regulation ball field
Restore the concession stand and/or outbuildings
Refurbish the existing bathroom
Install two park benches
Extent of Cooperation Required
The cooperation of the township Board of Trustees is paramount to
the success of this project.
The Huron Township Recreation Commission will participate in the
planning, development and completion of each phase of development.
The Little League has offered funds and labor to build the ball field
and their input ideas and financial contribution is necessary.
Wayne County’s annual distribution of millage dollars is critical to the
completion of the various phases of this long-term project.
In-kind donations of labor and materials are needed for successful
completion of the phases.
Volunteers will have to pitch in to refurbish buildings and the
bathroom.
The building department will need to assist on all inspections.
Evaluation
The project can be measured by in-kind donations of materials,
volunteer hours contributed, and the timely completion of the three
phases.