The Empire Village Council has a new recreation plan lined up that was approved and briefly discussed at the July regular meeting Tuesday.
The village unanimously approved passed a resolution citing the council’s awareness that with an aging population there is a need for more passive types of recreation as well as more active recreational opportunities saying, “I just want to say that I think a good job was done in revising (the plan) and responding to the questions, and I’m very happy with this,” said council member March Dye followed by words of agreement from council member Ella Sckroki. “Barrier-free access to recreation is vital for an aging population. However, playgrounds, ballfields, and other facilities (such as a skate park) with a younger audience in mind serve to connect generations.”
Some of the proposed actions to take place over the next five years include improving access to Lake Michigan Beach, updating the Beach Park Pavilion, researching beach grooming options and adding a changing area near the beach restrooms. The plan also lists improvements to Shalda Park such as enhancing the ballpark facilities, a possible skateboard or pump track, designating an area for a pickleball court, researching ways to support the community garden, among other things. Improvements for the downtown park and trail system are also listed.
