Chassell Township Recreation Plan

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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1982

CHASSELL TOWNSHIP RECREATION PLAN

August, 1980

US Department of Commerce
NOAA Coastal Services Center Library
2234 South Hobson Avenue
L Charleston, SC 29405-2413

Prepared by

Ayres, Lewis, Norris & May, Inc.
Engineers - Architects - Planners

This documnet was prepared in part
through financial assistance provided by
the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
administered by the Office of Coastal Zone Management
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

0 List of Figures

I INTRODUCTION I
11 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION 2- 11
Cultural Resources 2
0 Natural Resources 7
III RECREATION INVENTORY 12 - 15
Regional Recreational Facilities 12
Local Recreational Facilities 12
0 IV ANALYSIS OF RECREATION DEFICIENCIES 16 - 17
V RECREATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 18 - 19
VI ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE 20 - 21
Vil ACTION AND FINANCIAL PROGRAM 22
Vill CHASSELL TOWNSHIP PARK - SITE PLAN SUMMARY 23 -25

Bibliography 26

List of Figures

Figure No. Page

I Population Projections to the Year 2000 3
2 Chassell Township Regional Recreational
Facilities 14
3 Chassell Township Recreational Facility
Def iciencies 17
4 Chassell Township Recreation Administration 21
5 Chassell Township
Five-Year Recreation Action Plan 22

Maps

1 Land Use
2 Regional Recreation Inventory
3 Chassell Township Park Site Plan

INTRODUCTION

The 1981 Chassell Township Recreation Plan has been written to guide the future
recreational development within the Township. The intent of this document is to
establish recreational goals for the Township, review the condition of existing
programs, and to establish a program for future improvement. It is from this
viewpoint that the Chassell Township Recreation Plan has been prepared.

The Recreation Plan has been reviewed and adopted by the Chassell Township
Board. A copy of the Board's resolution has been inserted in this Plan.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

0
CULTURAL RESOURCES

Location

Chassell Township is located in Houghton County in the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan, approximately twelve miles south of the Houghton-Hancock metropolitan
area. The township's east boundary is formed by Portage Lake, the Portage River,
0 and Lake Superior's Keweenaw Bay. The Village of Chassell, located on Pike Bay of
Portage Lake, is the primary concentration of population in the township. The
Village is not incorporated and thus is governed by the township board.

0 Population

The population of the western Upper Peninsula reached a peak in the 1920s and
1930s when mining and lumbering activities were booming. Since that time there
0 has been a considerable out-migration of residents, in response to the economic
decline. The population of Houghton County also followed this trend, decreasing
51.8 percent (71,930 to 34,652) in the period from 1920 to 1970, as has Chassell
Township.

Z
Although the population of the region has declined for a number of years, it is
beginning to stabilize. The reasons for this include:

1) stabilizing economic conditions, including increases in the government and
service sectors and an active industrial recruitment program;

2) improved opportunities for vocational-technical training, and college
expansion programs in the area;

3) increasing attractiveness of unspoiled rural areas for residential develop-
ment;

4) improving transportation systems, and

0 5) improving recreational facilities for both tourists and residents.

Population projections to the year 2000 are presented in Figure 1.

0 Figure I
Populcition Projections to the Year 2000

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
0 Houghton County 35,654 34,652 38,300 43,300 48,300
Chassell Township 1,423 1,415 1,572 1,807 2,063
Village of Chassell 650 810 922 1,186 1,362

0 Source: Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region

There is little census information available on the characteristics of the population
0 of Chassell Township. However, it is evident that there is a considerable influx of
tourists during the summer months. For example, the population of the Village of
Chassell increases by an estimated 300 persons during the summer. It is also
evident that the population of Chassell is characterized by both a significant
0 portion of senior citizens and G college-age population associated with the Michigan
Technological University. The township housing stock includes a number of off-
campus housing units for the students, as well as fraternity houses.

Land Use

Chassell Township is mostly farmed or forested. The land in the central portion of
the township, along the lower reaches of the Sturgeon and Snake Rivers, is an
expansive marshy area which provides excellent waterfowl habitat. Much of the
area at the mouths of these rivers and in the south central portion of the township
is part of the Baraga State Forest, owned by the State of Michigan. Strawberry
farms also comprise a major land use. Map I depicts the present land use in the
Township.

The Village of Chassell, located on Pike Bay in the northwestern part of the
township, is the main concentration of population. The community is predomi-
nantly residential with most homes located along the south and west shorelines of
Pike Bay. An exterior housing survey was conducted in 1969, and the results
indicated that there are a total of 280 homes in the community. Thirty-one homes,
or eleven percent, were new and three homes, or one percent were considered
dilapidated and dangerous for human habitation. The town is presently experienc-
ing a housing shortage. Immediately north of town along Portage Lake is a
concentration of small homes, many of which are rented to tourists in the summer.

The commercial character of the Village is primarily roadside commercial and
composed primarily of retail shops, restaurants, and service establishments.
Within the town are a number of vacant lots, and additional large vacant areas are
located north and east of town. East of town along the lake is a large vacant tract
of land which was previously occupied by the Worchester Lumber Company. A
portion of this tract has been acquired by the township and is planned for
development as the new Township Park.

Community facilities include an athletic field, and baseball and football fields. An
outdoor ice arena is located near the public school complex but is poorly
maintained. The Chussell Township High School, Southwell Elementary School, and

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a new building for the kindergarten are all located on the some block in the Village.
These schools serve all the children in the township.

The only other concentrations of population in the township are Portage Entry, a
small village located where the Portage River enters Keweenaw Bay, and
Klingville, in the southeast portion of the township.

Local Economy

The Village of Chassell grew Up GS 0 lumber processing center with limited
influences from area mining activities. Extensive lumbering operations ended by
1920, and today the Village is primarily residential. The few commercial
establishments include service stations, restaurants, lodging facilities, and small
retail shops. Most local residents and the summer tourist population go to the
Houghton-Hancock area to do their shopping.

Chassell Township is well suited for agricultural purposes, and remains a productive
farming district today. The soils and climate are especially well suited for
strawberries, and most of the approximately 650 acres planted in Houghton County
are located in Chassell Township. Chassell is the home of the Copper County
Strawberry Festival. Farming activity has declined somewhat in recent years, as
older farmers have abandoned their farms and moved to the Village of Chassell or
other communities to retire. Thus, a significant percentage of the population
consists of low income, retired people.

Many Chassell residents are employed by Michigan Technological University in
Houghton, or work in commercial establishments of the surrounding area. Others
work at mining operations in Ontonogon County or in the Ishpeming-Negaunee area.

th Transportation Systems

The main route of transportation through Chassell is US-41, a two-lone, north-south
highway which is in excellent condition. There is adequate parking along both sides
of this roadwithin the Village of Chassell to prevent the interruption or congestion
of through traffic. Locally, many paved streets are in deteriorating condition and
in need of resurfacing, while a number of gravel roads need to be repaired.

There is no local bus service, although the Greyhound bus line does offer
connections in Houghton. The Soo Line Railroad crosses the township, but provides
no passenger service. The nearest airport is in Houghton and is serviced by Republic
and Simmons Commuter Airlines.

The Portage Lake Canal crosses the Keweenow Peninsula and serves as a shorcut
for freighters during bad weather. The deep water harbor facilities available in
Houghton-Hancock, Dollar Bay, and Torch Lake are known as the Keweenaw
Waterway. In 1968, the Keweenaw Waterway received 334,639 tons and shipped
1107 tons. These figures indicated there is not a significant export industry in the

area.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Topography

Chassell Township has a variable topography with ridges and valleys which
generally run southwest to northeast. Slopes along the ridges range from 8.1 to 15
percent, and exceed 15 percent in several small areas. However, most of the land
in the township is quite flat, with slopes of less than 8 percent.

The northwestern portion of the township is the most rugged With elevations
exceeding 1000 feet above msl (mean sea level datum). In the central portion,

elevations decrease to almost 600 feet along Pike Bay and the valleys of the
Sturgeon and Snake Rivers. Extensive swampy areas are found between these two
rivers and on the delta which forms at their mouths. East of the river valleys,
elevations again rise to 757 feet on a small ridge in the east central portion of the
township. Elevations along Keweenaw Bay range from 606 to 670 feet above sea
level.

Geology and Soils

The bedrock of the western portion of the upper peninsula was formed during the
Pre-Cambrian Era and is crystalline in nature. In the vicinity of Chassell Township,
bedrock is from the Keweenawan sub-epoch, which occurred one billion years ago.
Keweenawan bedrock is characterized by interlayed layers of lava and conglomer-
ate which are overlain by slates and sandstones. The bedrock formation beneath
Chassell is Jacobsville Sandstone. It is unclear exactly how far below the surficial
sediments the bedrock is located, but it is at sufficient depth that development and
agricultural activities have not been influenced.

Surficial sediments were derived primarily from glacial activity during the
Pleistocene Period. Till plains, or ground moraines are the predominant glacial
features in Chassell Township. These till plains are composed of unsorted sand,
gravel, silt, clay, cobbles, and boulders. Along Keweenaw Bay is an old lake bed,
composed of si It, clay, and fine sand which was deposited in ponded meltwater.

These glacial deposits are the primary parent material in which soils are formed.
Soils have differing characteristics because glacial materials are not uniform in
composition and because soils are formed under differing drainage, cover and
climatic conditions.

Soils along Keweenaw Bay are deep wet loams. However, some areas may be very
stony or may include well-drained loams and organic soils. These soils pose

moderate limitations to most types of recreational development, and severe
limitations to sewage disposal systems.

In the swampy areas along the Sturgeon and Snake Rivers are organic, wet sandy
soils. These soils are nearly level and very poorly drained, and thus are unsuitable
for most forms of recreation. The western portion of the township has deep loamy
soils and deep loamy soils closely associated with sands. Deep loamy soils, also
found east of the swampy area, are gently sloping to moderately steep, well-
drained and moderately well-drained soils. Most areas are associated with rock
outcrops. These soils present only slight to moderate limitations to most forms of
recreational use. Deep loamy soils and closely associated sandy soils are gently
sloping to moderately steep, well-drained and moderately well-drained soils. Most
of the loamy soils are underlain by a clay pan which restricts the downward
movement of water. Only slight limitations to recreational use are presented by
these soils.

Climatic Conditions

The western upper peninsula is characterized by extreme seasonal temperature
variations and large amounts of snow during the winter months.

Data from a weather station (it Calumet indicates that average annual precipita-
tion in the Keweenaw Peninsula is 34.02 inches, while an average of 152 inches of
snow falls annually. The coldest month is January, when temperatures average
15.00F. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 65.1 0 F.
Prevailing winds are southerly during warm weather and northwesterly during the
rest of the year.

Water Resources

Chassell Township lies in the Sturgeon and Portage Drainage area, both of which

f low into Lake Superior. The Sturgeon River basin includes the Snake River,
Sturgeon River, Otter River, and a number of small tributaries. This basin drains
western Baraga County and southern Houghton County, and empties into Portage
Lake at Chassell. There are no known sources of municipal or industrial wastes
discharging into the basin, but runoff from agricultural activities near the mouth
may have a minor influence on water quality.

The Portage drainage area includes Portage Lake and River, the Trap Rock River
and numerous creeks in northern Houghton County. The Portage River and lake
serves as G shipping channel. Water quality problems in this drainage area are
related to unchlorinated treatment plant effluent and raw sewage discharge from
small communities in northern Houghton and southern Keweenaw Counties. Mine
dewatering near the river mouth at Calumet also results in increased chloride
concentration.

Groundwater availability in Chassell Township ranges from fair throughout most of
the township to poor in highly localized areas. Groundwater quality is generally
acceptable for most uses, though some wells contain objectionable amounts of iron.
The water supply in most areas is derived from surface waters, particularly Lake
Superior. However, the Village of Chassell depends on a spring located west of

town.

Veget(rtion and Wildlife

Most of Chassell Township is agricultural, and thus retains little natural
vegetation. In the southwestern corner of the township and scattered smaller areas
are northern hardwood forests, the most common species association in the western
Upper Peninsula. The northern hardwoods are a maple-birch climax community, a
highly productive source of commercial timber. Forestry is not an important
sector of the economy of Chassell Township. Small areas along Keweenaw Bay are
forested by mixed hardwoods and softwoods. The low-lying area along the Sturgeon
and Snake Rivers is a conifer swamp.

Important wildlife habitats have been identified by the Western Upper Peninsula
Regional Planning Commission. The Sturgeon River basin, also known as the
Sturgeon Slough, is a highly productive waterfowl area. The area is used by such
species as ducks, geese, crones, kingfishers, and other water birds, for feeding
during migration and breeding activity. The Slough is one of three existing geese
habitats in the Upper Peninsula.

Other types of wildlife found in the area are relatively mobile and do not have a
particularly vulnerable habitat.

RECREATION INVENTORY

A recreational inventory describes the types and location of the facilities currently
in existence in the study area. Both private and public facilities are included. This
baseline information is necessary to evaluate the recreational deficiencies in the
study area.

REGIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Regional recreational facilities are large facilities which serve people in a broad
geographic area. For the purposes of the Chassell Township Recreational Master
Plan, the region has been defined as the area within a 30-mile radius of Chassell
Township. The size and type of facilities vary, but included are State parks, State
forest campgrounds, national forest campgrounds, and other areas. Particularly
important to residents of Chassell Township are Baraga, Twin Lakes, and McLain
State Parks. Regional recreational facilities are depicted in Map 2.

Regional facilities and the activities available at each have been listed in Figure 2
and located on Map 2. Other small parks within the 30-mile radius offer little
regional attraction to Chassell residents and have thus been excluded. It should be
noted that the actual driving distance to each site may be greater than 30 miles,
because the 30-mile radius is based on "air distance" from Chassell Township.
Travel time may be considerably longer.

LOCAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

The Chassell Township School System consists of three buildings located on the
some block in the Village of Chassell. Facilities on the school grounds include one
baseball diamond, a playground, a multi-purpose field, and a natural ice skating
rink.

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Figure 2
Chassell Township Regional Recreational Facilities

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State Parks
Twin Lakes State Park 175 H X X X X X X X 62 X X
Craig Lake State Park 5784 B x x snowmobile trail,
wilderness area
Barago State Park 56 B X X X X X X 140 X X X
McLain State Park 401 H X X X x 90 x x x

State Forest Campgrounds
Emily Lake (Lake= 138) H x x x x 9
Big Lake B x x X X 12 no motorboats
Big Erick's Bridge B x x x X 20 canoes only
Low's Lake (Lake= 15) B x x X X 5 no motorboats

National Forest Campgrounds
Courtney Lake 21 0 15 x x . X X 21 x
Bob Lake 15 H 9 X X X X X 17 x water skiing,
interpretive trail
Sturgeon River 4 B x 9 x x

Other Public Facilities (publicly-owned)
Silver Mountain 1000 H x x underdeveloped, historic
Pelkie Fairground 2.5 B x x ski jump, horseshoe pits
Sand Hills Light House 40 B x historic
L'Anse Marina (city-owned) water skiing & high-speed
boating at selected hours
Wyandotte Hills Golf Course 100 H
Calumet Golf Course H
Portage Lake Golf Course H 18-hole
Limestone Mt. 10 H possible redevelopment of
ski hill
Otter Lake H x x x x mostly private facilities
Otter River Canoe Route x canoe access
Sturgeon River Canoe Route x 8 miles: Otter Lake to
Portage Lake
Portage Lake Access x numerous public access
sites along lake
Michigan Technological University 23 H 4 multi-purpose fields, tennis
court, baseball diamond, archery
and rifle range, horseshoe pit,
skiing, gym, football field, skating

Privately-Owned Facilities
Pequarning 850 B x x x historic Ford Mill and town
Witz Marina & Campsite x x x x 50x x commercial & recreational
Adventure Ski Area H one rope tow

B - Baraga H Houghton 0 Ontonagon

The Chassell Community Building contains four bowling lanes and a basketball
court used by the school system. The Chassell Township Park a recently acquired
site on Pike Bay within the Village of Chassell, is presently undeveloped. A
township park which was located north of town, was exchanged for this new site,
and has been abandoned. The township operates no other recreational facilities.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources maintains a public access site at
the Sturgeon River Slough where the Sturgeon River empties into Pike Bay. This
access site is located two miles south of the Village of Chassell and is the only
public access in the township. The Slough is known for hunting and fishing
opportunities, as the wetland swamp provides excellent fish and waterfowl habitat.
The Army Corps of Engineers has operated an access site at Portage Entry in
previous years. This site is located five miles south of the Village, and includes a
large concrete pier used to tie up ore boats and a picnic area. A lack of funds has-
caused this site to be poorly maintained and used infrequently by local residents.

In addition to these local recreational facilities, the City of Houghton and Michigan
Technological University offers limited facilities for Chassell Township residents.
A Houghton City Park is located a few miles north of the Village of Chassell on US-
41. This park includes a boat ramp, picnic sites and limited court facilities.
Further north on US-41 lies the campus of Michigan Technological University.
While these extensive facilities are restricted to student use, certain facilities such
as the ice arena, ball fields, football fields and tennis courts are available to the
public on a limited basis.

IV
ANALYSIS OF RECREATION DEFICIENCIES

In order to determine the future recreational program, it is important to assess the
def iciencies of the local area. Two methods of analysis are used for this
assessment. The first method compares national recreation standards with local
facilities. The second method is based upon a citizen survey and input from the
local communities in order to determine needed facilities. By using these
methodologies an accurate assessment of recreational deficiencies for Chassell
Township can be made.

Recreational standards provide guidance to a community regarding the type and,
amount of park space and recreational facilities. The park space standards
developed by the National Recreation and Parks Association are used in this
analysis. Figure 3 compares Chassell Township's existing facilities to NRPA
standards. The standards are applied to a 1980 base population of 1,572 and a 1990
population of 1,807 (Figure 1). According to these standards, there is a current
deficiency of one tennis court and three basketball courts. Other facilities such as
ball diamonds and playlots are provided by the Township and meet NRPA standards.
The Township is fortunate to have an ice rink and community center and for these
facilities the Township exceeds the suggested standards.

Another method of determining recreational deficiency is through citizen surveys
and community input. In May of 1980, the Chassell Township Board, the Park
Development Committee and interested citizens discussed the future recreation
program of the Township. During this meeting, recreational priorities were
discussed and are summarized as follows:

- boating access
- water access (picnicking and viewing)
- swimming
- horseshoes

- tennis

Figure 3
Chassell Township Recreational Facility Deficiencies

1979 1980 1990 1990
NRPA Township NRPA NRPA
Facility Type Requirement Inventory Requirement Deficiency

Baseball Diamonds 0 1 0 0

Softball Diamonds 0 0 0 0

Tennis Courts 1 0 1 1

Basketball Courts 3 0 4 4
Swimming Pool 0 0 0 0
Artificial Ice Rink 0 1 0 0
Community Center 0 1 0 0
18-Hole Golf Course 0 0 0 0

Picnic Areas 0 0 0
Playlot I I 1 0

Water-related facilities were considered to be of primary importance to the
Township. The presence of Portage Lake without the means of local access was
very disconcerting. Horseshoes were also considered important because of heavy
local interest and tournaments. Finally, residents objected to the lack of local
public tennis courts.

A brief recreation questionnaire was also distributed at this meeting. Residents
were asked to circulate the questionnaire among neighbors and friends who were
not able to attend the meeting. While the number of surveys returned was limited,
the results were similar to the deficiencies determined at the public meeting.

To summarize future needs, the recreation standards and local opinion both
emphasize the need for a tennis court. While the standards do not address water-
related activities, public input demonstrates that a boat access ramp, beach area,
and picnic facilities are needed.

RECREATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

0 After discussions with residents concerning future recreational development,
certain goals and objectives can be stated. The goals and objectives have been
reviewed and approved by interested citizens and they reflect a general consensus
for future development. Long-range goals and short-term objectives are defined as
9 fo I I ows:

Long-range goals are a desired end product toward which the Township's
efforts should be directed. The time frame for long-range goals should be ten
0 years or longer.

Short-term objectives are more specific desired accomplishments within a
time frame of the next five years. Objectives should be formulated to meet
long-range goals.

The following goals and objectives have been identified for Chassell Township.

0 Goal 1: Park and recreation facilities should maximize opportunities for water
related recreation near Portage Lake.

Objective I A: Chassell Township should develop a public boat launch site
40 to provide access to Portage Lake.

Objective I B: Swimming, waterfront, picnicking, and lake viewing should
be available to the residents of Chassell Township.

Goal 2: Park and recreation facilities should provide a variety of recreational
opportunities for residents and tourists of all ages.

Objective 2A: Children, families, and senior citizens should all have
recreational opportunities ranging from active play areas, to
passive recreation activities.

Objective 213: While use by local residents should be the primary concern,
facilities for tourists should also be considered.

Goal 3: The Township should provide recreational opportunities which are either
0 unavailable or inaccessible to its residents in regional or state recreation areas.

Objective 3A: State or national forests and facilities provided by regional
centers such as Houghton-Hancock will continue to provide
major recreational facilities. Chassell Township facilities
should be intended for use on the local scale and should not
duplicate facilities which are easily accessible elsewhere.

0 Goal 4: Park and recreation facilities should be designed to protect and enhance
the natural resources of each site.

Objective 4A: Parks should preserve shoreline vegetation and minimize on-
site erosion hazards.

Objective 413: Parks should minimize human abuse and should be designed
in a manner which will enhance existing site features.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

In December 1979, the Chassell Township Board authorized the appointment of the
Chassell Township Park Development Committee. This committee was authorized
to coordinate the development of recreational facilities within Chassell Township.
While primary responsibilities are directed toward the development of the Township
0 Park at the Worchester Lumber Mill site, the committee also -acts as a general
recreation advisory committee to the Township Board. Upon development of the
site, it is expected that the Park Development Committee will be transformed into
the Township's Recreation Committee and continue to act as an advisory body to
0 the Township Board. Figure 4 illustrates the existing and proposed administrative

structure.

Competitive athletics and educational recreation programming are administered
0 through the Chassell Township Schools. The administration and the school board
have the responsibility of managing the athletic facilities on the school sites, as
well as the Community Activities Building.

Figure 4
Chassell Township Recreation Administration

CHASSELL TOWNSHIP BOARD

Chassell Township Chassell Township
School Board Planning Commission

Chassell Township Park
Development Committee
(Proposed Chassell Township
Park Development Committee)

Chassell Township Schools Chassell Township Senior Citizens
I -- I -T-
Softball School Senior Citizen Activities
Ice Skating Competitive
Community Recreation Sports

VII

ACTION AND FINANCIAL PROGRAM

To insure the implementation of proposed recreation facilities an action and
financial program has been developed. The program covers the first five years of
the plan and runs from 1981 to 1986. Park development efforts will be focussed
upon the Township Park (Worchester Lumber site) and development phases are
sequentially ordered in Figure 5. Estimated costs and funding sources have also
been included.

Figure 5
Chassell Toi4nship
Five-Year Recreation Action Plan

Year Project Estimated Cost Funding Sources

1981 1) Develop boat ramp, MDNR-Waterways Div.
parking and access road $30,000 Township

1982 2) Develop picnic sites, beach, LAWCON
restrooms, drainage courses, Township
bridges and fencing $36,000 MDNR-Waterways Div.

1983 3) Relocate picnic povillion and
add play equipment $ 51000 Township

1983 4) Construct horseshoe pits on
park site and continue with
landscaping improvements
and fencing $12,000 Township

1984 5) Construct two tennis courts LAWCON
on township school site $24,000 Township

1985 6) Construct outdoor basketball LAWCON
court and update play equipment $ 8,000 Township

1986 7) Construct asphalt pathways
and improve site landscaping LAWCON
of waterfront park $15,000 Township

Vill

CHASSELL TOWNSHIP PARK - SITE PLAN SUMMARY

0 The Chassell Township Park Site is currently undeveloped. Mature vegetation is
found on the extreme north and south ends; otherwise the site is sparsely
vegetated. The terrain slopes gently toward Pike Bay and two drainage courses
divide the site.

The proposed site plan for Chassell Township includes the following features:

- boat ramp and parking for 10 cars with trailers
- 40-car parking lot for park users
- access road
- restrooms with flush toilets and changing facilities
- relocated picnic pavillion
- 18 picnic sites with 18 tables and fire grills
- 4 horseshoe pits
- I merry-go-round
- improved drainage courses
- wooden footbridges over drainage courses
- asphalt pathways (approximately 2000 linear feet)
- fencing along site perimeter

While original discussions included the future construction of campsites, it was
determined that sufficient land for camping is not available. Parking has been
located next to the boat ramp in order to minimize pedestrian conflicts and
concentrate auto access. The two existing drainage courses have been consoli-
dated. River rock armor is proposed along the banks in or der to stabilize erosion
and to provide an attractive appearance. Two small wooden footbridges are
proposed to cross the creek. The creek divides the intensive park uses from the

passive park uses in order to minimize user conflicts. The beach and swimming
area is proposed for the north end of the site in order to minimize conflicts with
the boat ramp and boaters. Finally, a pedestrian access and pathway are located on
the north end of the site and adjoins U.S. 41. Approximate costs for the
development of this park site are outlined in the preceding action plan. Map 3
depicts the Chassell Township Park Site Plan.

800
Line

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)CA Pike
Bay

Bibliography

4w Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Recreation Services Division, 1979
Michigan Recreation Plan.

National Recreation and Parks Association, National Park Recreation and Open
Space Standards, Edited by Robert D. Buecher, S nior Associate, June, 1971

Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region, Environmental Land
Use Plan, 1973.

Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region, Natural Resource
Analysis, 1974.

Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region, Open Space and
Recreation Inventory and Interim Plan, 1972.

Williams and Works for Houghton County Planning Commission, Houghton County
Comprehensive Plan, Report Three, Local Community Analysis, 1969.

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