Kimball Pointe Township Park

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Kimball Pointe is a 43-acre peninsula on Long Lake with 4,000 feet of natural, undeveloped shoreline. In 1984, Reading Township acquired 35-acres of land, made possible by the Kammer Land Acquisition Trust Fund, and the existing structures and boardwalks were built. 

According to the resolution passed in 1984, the purpose of the land acquisition was “to preserve a natural habitat that has never been developed in order to protect that environment for a bird habitat, trees, wildflowers, and off-shore fishing beds, and further that this property is readily accessible and used for the recreational benefit of the people of Reading Township, Hillsdale County, and the general public.” 

Kimball Camp YMCA was granted a special use agreement to use this preserve to conduct environmental education programs with schools, summer camps and to the public as a Nature Center. Kimball Camp was designated as the manager of the property in its upkeep, supervision, and programming.

While the management of the site has been fulfilled by Kimball Camp, much needed maintenance to the infrastructure of the park was not prioritized and devastating storm damage in 2021, only compounded the situation. Existing structures on Kimball Pointe include: a double vault toilet building, north deck overlook, wetland boardwalk leading to a deck overlook, multi-level picnic shelter with picnic tables, and a west side boardwalk leading to lake access. 

The north deck overlook is one of two structures in need of rehabilitation; all components and ramp access are deteriorating and unstable. The second, a wetland boardwalk includes multiple sections that have been warped and crushed over time. The boardwalk connects to an overlook deck in disrepair, and the ramp has fallen into the shoreline. 

Currently, no public access exists to the park, as the gated entrance is placed on private property. Lack of access has limited its potential as there is no public entrance or parking available.

Starting in October of 2022, a new wave of leaders at Kimball Camp and members of the Reading Township Board have been working together and are committed to the redevelopment and establishment of Kimball Pointe as a public park. 

A grant opportunity was discovered through the Michigan Spark Grant program, a $65 million outdoor recreation program to help local communities to create, renovate or redevelop public outdoor opportunities for residents and visitors. The program will have three rounds, beginning in January 2023.

Kimball Camp YMCA graciously agreed to donate 8-acres of land to the township, thus providing a direct line of land that would generate a new entrance off Long Lake Road, and trail extension for the public. The plan was discussed at the Township board regular meetings on 11/14/22 and 12/12/22 along with an additional special meeting on 11/29/22.

The township acquired the services of Beckett & Raeder, a landscape architecture, planning, engineering, and environmental services firm, to prepare a conceptual master plan and preliminary opinion of construction costs, required for the grant application.

The total scope of the project is projected to cost $2 million and as the grant limits the maximum request to $1 million, two plans were designed to show the total scope of the envisioned project and a minimized plan that would provide access to The Pointe and removal of the unsafe structures. 

The current ADA accessible plan submitted in the grant application include:

· Parking lot placed off Long Lake Road, 50 spaces of crushed gravel, two HD   concrete barrier free spaces.

· A vault toilet, litter receptacle, bike loops, and kiosk sign will be included in a future phase for cost saving purposes.

· Concrete sidewalk with thickened edge to connect to the trail entrance.

· Switch-back gravel trail will lead to a pedestrian bridge, crossing a small creek.

· Gravel trail will continue into a wooded area until boundary of wetland begins.

· Elevated wetland boardwalk will encircle a portion of Long Lake and connect to the existing upland trail of Kimball Pointe.

· In a future phase, a nature-viewing deck to provide for fishing and bird watching opportunities, will be placed mid-connection trail.

· All portions of the upland trail will be cleared of trees and brush. 

· A kayak/canoe land build-up will be added to the end of the west side boardwalk to provide for water access.

· Removal of the north deck overlook and wetland boardwalk structures, due to safety concerns, until future phase funding can provide for these structures to be rebuilt.

The Michigan Spark grant was made possible by the Building Michigan Together Plan, signed in March 2022, which included a historic infusion of federal funding in our state and local parks from Covid relief funds.

Letters of support were required from specific areas and our community stepped up to the plate. Our township appreciates the time and care each author of a support letter, contributed to our project:

Rachel J. Lott, Director of Marketing, Development, Community Outreach & Governmental Affairs, Hillsdale Hospital

Tyler Tracy, CEO, Kimball Camp YMCA

Martin DuBois, Superintendent, Reading Community Schools

Kellie DeSchutter, Reading Schools Middle School Math & Science Teacher, Varsity Cross-County Team Coach.

Mark Emmons, Administrative Director, Camp Selah

Richard Gripman, President of the Reading Fire Board and Reading Township Trustee

Kimberly Blythe, Reading City Manager

Melani Matthews, Reading City Mayor

Alex M. Bergmooser, Data Analyst/Health Promotion & Education Supervisor for the Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency

Shane Spahr, Health and Wellness Coordinator, Hillsdale County Senior Services Center

Nicole Pridgeon, Physical Therapist for Hillsdale County ISD

Peg Root, Owner/Licensee of Heritage House AFC, Reading

Catherine M. Steiner, Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner, Hillsdale Hospital

Reading Township submitted the grant application on December 19, 2022 and are awaiting to hear the results. If not chosen on the first round, we will have an opportunity to try again at the subsequent rounds. 

Currently, we are working on creating a park ordinance with rules and regulations and hope to have this finalized soon. The temporary rules and park ordinance will apply to public visitors, all previous agreements with Kimball Camp YMCA will remain in place.

Temporary rules for the park include: 

· This park is open daily from dawn to dusk, year-round.

· No motorized vehicles allowed on pedestrian trails. Exceptions include a motorized wheelchair or other similar vehicle, operated by a physically afflicted or disabled person.

· No camping or campfires due to fire risk.

· No temporary dwelling, tree stand, or any structure will be permitted.

· No hunting of any wild bird or animal within the park.

· No littering or dumping of any materials. Please abide by our “carry-in, carry-out policy”

· No loud music (headphones only).

· Please leash your dog and pick up after them.

· No smoking beyond the parking area.

· No alcohol allowed.

If chosen as a grant recipient, fundraising will be a priority to get the project rolling, as this is a reimbursement grant. By creating the first ADA accessible public park within our township, a massive void for a safe recreational opportunity would be filled. In Reading, most roads lack sidewalks and those who venture out for a walk or run, must be in the streets, posing a significant safety concern.

Establishing a safe and accessible local park, would go to great lengths to overcome the challenges our community has suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic. As the many letters of support state, when local businesses and schools were not operating, there were very few public recreational opportunities available in our community.

Reading Township is committed to helping to create a strong and healthy community and provide access to new opportunities for people of all abilities and ages. We are in the early stages of creating a Kimball Pointe Committee and are seeking community members to join and help us bring our vision to fruition.

Please contact: 

Karen Wheeler, Kimball Pointe Project Coordinator E-MAIL

Rick Gripman, Reading Township Trustee E-MAIL

Coming Soon