2021 GHT Park Bond Introduction
The Township strives to be fiscally conservative with your tax dollars. Even with voter approval of the bond, our financial position remains strong because the total general obligation debt would only be $10.18 million at the end of 2021 ($6.14 million for parks + $4.04 million for pathways). This is merely 8.5% of the $120+ million of general obligation debt the State Constitution authorizes the Township to incur.
How much would this bond cost you? The principal amount would be $6.14 million at an interest rate of about 2.75% over 20 years. This equates to about 0.4 mills (or 40 cents per $1,000 of taxable value). Meaning, the annual cost for a $200,000 home is only $40.
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If approved by the voters, the $6.14 million bond for park projects would include:
$5.16 million to develop the Schmidt Heritage Park.
- Phase 1 would include—pickleball courts, soccer fields, multi-purpose fields, jogging trail, restroom facilities and parking.
- Will incorporate universal design principals and green infrastructure via rain gardens to promote natural infiltration.
- Future plans include baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, multi-purpose fields, pavilions and additional parking.
- Construction to begin in 2022.
$575k for a Township match of a state grant for the development of the Witteveen Farm property along 168th Avenue.
- Phase 1 would include—2 miles of new trails, a new boardwalk and overlook, parking lot, and beginning to remove the dead trees from the old farm and convert it to wildflower fields.
- Will incorporate universal design principals such as 8 foot wide trails, 10 foot wide boardwalk, painted edge treatments around curves and slope changes, additional barrier-free parking spaces, etc.
- Future phases include a restroom facility, pavilion, and more trails.
- Construction to begin in 2022.
$85k for a Township match of a state grant for the acquisition along Groesbeck Street.
- 15.7 acres will be purchased to create a northern entrance to Hofma Preserve.
- Future plans include pavilion, restroom facilities, and parking lot that will exceed barrier-free parking requirements.
- Transfer of ownership anticipated to occur in late 2021. Development schedule is TBD.
$140k match of a federal grant for the restoration of the Pottawattomie Park waterfront.
- The scope of work includes stabilizing the shoreline with natural plantings, creating a beach area for water access, rebuilding and straightening the boardwalk, adding an accessible kayak launch, and relocating the fishing dock to the east side of the park.
- Construction to begin in fall 2021.
Schmidt Heritage Park
Hofma Park & Preserve Development – Wolfe & Witteveen Properties
- Hofma Vision Overall Site Plan
- Hofma Vision – Witteveen Farm Site Plan
- Hofma Vision – Wolfe Property Site Plan
- Hofma Vision Cost Estimate
- Project Narratives
- The Hofma Vision 2017
