LAKE ANN -- By June, Almira Township residents hope to have another option on deck for fun.
The township, Almira Citizens for Preservation and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy are once again teaming up to acquire a strategic piece of land.
The organizations are in the midst of raising $200,000 that would join a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant to fund a purchase of this land. The parcel up for grabs is 1.65 acres in the village of Lake Ann with 175 feet of frontage on Lake Ann.
Situated seconds from downtown Lake Ann, the future public park will fill a gap in the township's recreation choices. While sprawling Lake Ann does have the Lake Ann State Forest Campground along its shores -- featuring a boat launch, hiking and mountain biking trails and fishing access -- it does not include a swimming area.
"Within the township here we have 36 lakes and not one public beach for the kids to swim," said Steve Puchovan, Almira Township supervisor. "It just seems a little bit wrong that you could have that many (lakes) and not be able to provide that type of recreation."
The plan for the new park, which would officially be known as the Almira Township Lakefront Park, will include off-street parking, restrooms and a changing area, picnic areas with tables, open areas, a beach and handicap accessibility. Tucked between two lakefront residences, the park would include screening along the sides adjoining neighboring properties and limited hours to keep down nighttime noise.
"What we're really trying to do is make Almira Township a great place to live," said George Daisy, president of the Almira Citizens for Preservation group.
Almira township residents, the township and conservancy have teamed up before on land preservation projects in the township. In 1999 they raised money to purchase Pearl Lake, and their fundraising efforts in 2001 saved Ransom Lake.
Tackling a matching $200,000 goal for the Almira Township Lakefront Park means implementing already successful fundraising methods. A series of pancake breakfasts, plant, bake, garage and T-shirt sales, a Parade of Ponds, a car show and trash cleanup days have generated money for the land purchase. Last Friday, the Lake Ann Lions hosted a spaghetti dinner to help with the effort.
"The success shows the depth of the community," Daisy said. "We pride ourselves that this is our third successful project."
Through it all, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy staff has helped with advertising, outreach and overall expertise on fundraising for land acquisition.
"The conservancy has been a guide on all of these projects," Puchovan said. "They are raising about $50,000 for us because they've got resource in donors that we don't for larger sums of money."
"They have been a tremendous help," he said. "It's through the Almira Citizens for Preservation and the township and the conservancy working that has made it possible."
The state will decide in early December which Trust Fund applications are approved, Puchovan said. If the Almira Township Lakefront Park purchase grant proposal is approved, the citizens, township and conservancy will have until June to raise the matching funds.
"When we meet with them in December, we'll be real close to the full amount and, of course, we have another six months," said Puchovan, who has been supervisor for 10 years and declined to run again. "This will be the third grant the township has gotten from the Trust Fund and they know we've never come up short."
For more information on the proposed Almira Township Lakefront Park, contact the township at 275-6346 or see www.twp.almira.benzie.mi.us. For information on the Almira Citizens for Preservation, call George Daisy at 275-7369.
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