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Several capital improvements made by parks commission 

  Capital improvements were a big part of the Frankenmuth Parks and Recreation’s 2012 agenda.

  The annual report was delivered to the Frankenmuth City Council Tuesday evening (December 4) at the council’s monthly meeting.

  While the 11-page report highlighted many of the department’s programs for young and old, male and female, Parks and Recreation Director Daren Kaschinske pointed to the various park improvements and rentals.

  One of the biggest improvements will impact the summer months in Memorial Park. The reconstruction of about one-half mile of Park Street through the park was the biggest project.

  Additional angle parking was installed outside the “horseshoe” and curb, gutter and new speed bumps were added. The $250,000 project was funded by a 75-percent grant from the Palmer Foundation.

  “Without that financial assistance, this project simply would not have been feasible,” Kaschinske said. “The finished product is much more functional for park use and has drastically improved the aesthetics in that area.”

  The improvements will help the youth softball and baseball programs as well as the Frankenmuth Women’s Club’s Concerts in the Park series, mid-June to late August.

  A new signage program also was started, with four new Memorial Park signs installed – one at he boat launch, one at the Rose Garden and at the two entrances on Park Drive.

  “We hope to continue this same type of sign at other parks in the future. The design of these signs has been well received and they have garnered several compliments,” Kaschinske said.

  With excess material left from the Park Drive project and with paving equipment already on site, a small amount of pavement was put in at the Hund Platz in Memorial Park.

  “Those additional spaces will be used by people using the dog park and disc golf course and also for weddings at the Rose Garden and concerts at the Palmer Schau Platz,” Kaschinske pointed out.

  Heritage Park, opened in 1970, received new concrete driveways. With help of donations, the parks and recreation department started to replace the dilapidated asphalt and gravel with concrete.

  The concrete greatly assists fork lift drivers as they moved tables, chairs, staging and other items from the CEC building to the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion for festivals and events.

  “We plan to continue with these concrete driveways as funding is available,” Kaschinske noted.

  The rec board also planted more than 30 trees in the parks this past fall. The new trees are replacing those lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

  “Little by little we are replacing a lot of lost shade in the parks,” Kaschinske added.