Welcome to the Elk Rapids
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Elk Rapids Parks & Recreation Commission serves primarily in an advisory capacity regarding the development of parks and recreational plans. The Commission also facilitates the exchange of information pertaining to recreation programs within the Community by holding public hearings, involving members of the community, as well as maintaining – on a liaison basis – contact with both Antrim County and Elk Rapids Township to avoid duplication of programs and to identify Community needs. The Commission also recommends to Village Council the acquisition of parks and the development of parks and recreational programs.
The Parks & Recreation Commission meets monthly on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Government Center (315 Bridge St., Elk Rapids, MI 49629).
PLAY EQUIPMENT SURVEY AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
The Village of Elk Rapids Parks and Recreation Commission would like to gather community input on potential play equipment at Veterans Memorial Park. The Commission will review the data as additional structures are considered to improve recreation opportunities for our younger community members. Survey submissions will be accepted until Friday January 27, 2023.
All are welcome to participate in the survey, no matter how old you are! You do not need to be a village resident to participate, we would love to hear from area residents, visitors, and stakeholders. Thank you for helping make our community a wonderful place to live, work, and recreate!
To take the survey, please click the link below:
PARKS AND RECREATION PLANS
COMMUNITY RECREATION PLAN
The Village of Elk Rapids Five Year Community Recreation Plan was adopted by Village Council on June 3, 2013, after an extensive drafting and public input process facilitated by the Parks & Recreation Commission. The Community Recreation Plan guides the future development of recreational opportunities within the Village of Elk Rapids as well as the continuing enhancement of recreational amenities. It provides a concise description of the Village’s plans and policies for current and future recreation.
5 Year 2018 Community Parks and Recreation Plan (PDF)
2017 Community Recreation Survey Results – No Open Ended (PDF)
2017 Community Recreation Survey Results – Includes Open-Ended (PDF)
MEMORIAL PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Memorial Park Management Plan
The purpose of the Memorial Park Management Plan is to incorporate the public interest in Memorial Park that will identify short and long term preservation items and improvements. The plan will rely on activity areas and map(s) to communicate Plan concepts. It should be noted that activity areas may overlap and therefore activities of one type may spill into another activity area. However, physical improvements within an activity area should tend to improve the type of activity identified for that area. It is the intent of this plan to incorporate and allow only recreation activities and facilities that are practical. However, due to the limited space and sensitive environmental characteristics, many recreation activities may not be practical or acceptable.
2021 COMMUNITY EVENT
Thanks to all the amazing community partners, the Parks and Recreation commUNITY event was a huge success! The music was jamming thanks to brotha James (sponsored by Stoney Cabin Toys), yoga with Bodywise was restorative, bike fun with Norte, great music by the Elk Rapids High School Jazz Lab, a great stroll/roll with TART Trails, free board, kayak, and pedi cab rides with Bayfront Beach and Bike, art projects for kids with Art Rapids!, games with the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, ice cream from the Friends of the Elk Rapids District Library, and a dog costume contest!
A HUGE shout out to all the people who made this event happen, and special thanks to the Parks and Recreation Commission along with event coordinator Jen Lu Wilson for organizing this fantastic event!
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Jeremy Cannon – Chair │ Term ending 2026
email: jcannon@elkrapids.org
James Dake │ Term ending 2025
email: jdake@elkrapids.org
Paula Moyer – Secretary│ Term ending 2026
email: pmoyer@elkrapids.org
Gordon Stewart – Vice Chair │ Term ending 2025
email: gstewart@elkrapids.org
Carol Heles │ Term ending 2024
email: cheles@elkrapids.org
Ryan Paxson │ Term ending 2024
email: rpaxson@elkrapids.org
Melissa West – Council Representative
email: mwest@elkrapids.org
WANT TO VOLUNTEER ON THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION?
The Village of Elk Rapids is always seeking dedicated individuals to volunteer on boards and commissions. If you are interested in such a position, fill out an application form and either turn it in to the Village Government Center or email it to vllgclerk@elkrapids.org. Your application will be kept on file for one year. Vacant seats on the commissions and boards are usually filled in the month of April.
COMMISSION APPLICATION FORM (EXTERNAL LINK)
For information on time commitments, requirements, and other general information about this commission, please read through the bylaws:
