Park board shares vision for ADA park in Bessemer

BESSEMER - The Bessemer Parks and Recreation Board on Friday met at a remote area of Bluff Valley Park to discuss a disability accessible vision for an undeveloped area.

The area is across Kallander creek from the outfield fence of the Little League field to the east, and the walking path from the State Street location to the west. A long term vision would be to create a nature observation point that would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"We didn't even know what we had here two years ago, and then we started talking about it," said Ron Zaleski, board president. "It's another part of the park that will be for people who have trouble accessing other parts of the park because of physical impairments."

Portions of the area are wetlands and the work for the past year has been to clear the buckthorn and other invasive species to get a better look at the terrain without moving any earth, Zaleski said.

He and volunteers from Bessemer High School, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, Ottawa National Forest, Michigan Community Service Commission and several individuals have been clearing invasives, he said.

The work ahead for the recreation committee is to determine how large of an area to use and at that point the issues of bridges, culverts and paths will need to involve the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regarding the wetlands and other state permits, Zaleski said.

The walking trail behind the area has been in use for 25 years, said Cheryl Olsen, board member.

Bessemer City Council member Terry Kryshak, who was present at the meeting, said that a project like this that will involve so much interaction with other agencies and so much volunteer work that it needs to have a plan in place.

It may have been a work in progress but moving forward there should be a plan to refer to if only to avoid doing something that needs EGLE approval, he said.

There is aging cement and culverts emerging from an area where the ground sits higher than its surroundings, he said. There should be samples taken to ensure there isn't a former dump or structure underneath that could present a safety concern, he said.

Charly Loper, Bessemer city manager, said she would provide aerial photos of the area but could not say how recent they were taken.

It would help the board members to sketch out the area of the park boundaries, she said.

Zaleski said the invasive removal should be completed before next steps are taken.

The goal would be to build the park with volunteers and donations so to use as little city funds as possible, he said.

"This will take two to three years," he said.

People wanting to volunteer to assist Zaleski can call 906-663-4453