January 2024

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View this email in your browser Main Street Park Alliance  Design Update  These are exhilarating times! We have many beautiful things to share. MSPA carried out a multifaceted approach with the help of our Design Partner, VIRIDIS, that engaged Chelsea residents and community stakeholders in a participatory design process for a new park in the heart of Chelsea.  Input from community voices contributed to a comprehensive understanding of needs and desires to incorporate into Main Street Park’s design. Chelsea State Bank hosted four community focus group sessions, and each group developed a set of principles for the design team to reference in the design concept phase. An excerpt of the themes and priorities include: Connect to the Chelsea community and downtown core Conservation and sustainable practices Year-round use  Sustainable framework for long-term maintenance  Inclusive, multi-generational spaces Creating awareness of site revitalization and restoration efforts  Coordination with local and state agencies The following graphic breakdown represents nearly 1,000 people who shared their vision for the new park space. To read more about the engagement process, click this Link on MSPA’s website.  The design team shared the initial design concepts with city representatives on January 12. The purpose of this meeting was to convey the direction VIRIDIS is taking based on the open-house forums and online feedback.   Joe Ziolkowski reported about the Engagement Process and provided a Design Update to the City Council on Monday, January 22, he later shared the following comment,  "MSPA, City of Chelsea and the Parks and Recreation Commissioners have been working together to provide timely and thoughtful feedback to VIRIDIS as they develop a concept for the upcoming community open house.  We are particularly grateful for Marty Colburn's leadership and extensive experience expanding park and recreation infrastructure as we go through this process." Photo courtesy MSPA of Lindsey Gadbois, Lead Designer, VIRIDIS, and community members  The Park’s Impactful Narrative Update As we expanded our thinking and mission, our research uncovered exciting insights into the value this park would add to our community. According to the National Recreation and Parks Association, a community the size of Chelsea should have 56 acres of parkland. Chelsea has 35 acres, nearly 40% less than the national standard. Most of this parkland is located on the periphery of the population center and much of that acreage is wooded or wetlands. Main Street Park is an unusual opportunity to give broad regional access to free play, recreation, community connection, and active space designed to allow access and inclusion for all ages and abilities.  The Main Street Park Project will become a reality through:  The Public-Private Partnership with the City of Chelsea, Washtenaw County, and the State of Michigan Extensive Environmental Testing, Remediation & Restoration Collaborative Process including extensive community and stakeholder engagement Innovative Design Diverse Resources, Funding, and Strategic Partnerships The Main Street Park is aligned with the City of Chelsea's Master Plan. Strong communities are built on a foundation of well-planned public spaces. Public space offers vibrancy, roots a community on its shared experience, and encourages healthy lifestyles.  Federal Screw Works History From Charlie, Great-Granddaughter: “After moving to Chelsea Michigan during WWII, Art was the head of the Navy munitions inspections department (at Federal Screw Works). Through the building of barns in Minnesota, Art later went on to develop Chizek Construction Company. The Chizek name in construction is continued on through his children and grandchildren. Arthur was thrifty with his business. We like to think that he was an original recycler; he built several structures with used materials, including his cottage on Grand Traverse Bay.” https://chizekbuilders.com/about/company-history/ In 2024, MSPA will explore numerous grant opportunities.  Help demonstrate your support of this exciting project with a donation today.  DONATE The Park Concept Revealed!   The next Community Open House at the Chelsea Depot is February 13 from 12-2 pm and 5-7 pm, when the park concept will be revealed.   If you have any comments, questions, concerns, feedback or want to support the project with time, expertise or a financial contribution, please email us at info@mainstreetpark.org. Visit our website by clicking on the link below to learn more.  Copyright © 2024, Main Street Park Alliance, All rights reserved.