SERVICES:
Proposed Martin Road Recreation Facility
This project has resulted from years of planning, research, and input for you, our community about the need for a community place. After conversing with 75+ residents over four engagement sessions and reviewing nearly 100 survey responses, the City responded to engaging and thoughtful questions. The results illustrate a need for a space that reflects Ferndale’s values of inclusivity, sustainability, and accessibility.
Project Background
This drive for a new community space was supported by the findings and recommendations of the 2022 Resident-led Facilities Task Force, a dedicated group of Ferndale residents and business owners who spent several months carefully inspecting each City facility. The Kulick Center—a community center the City did not own—was deemed unsafe and inoperable by inspectors.
For Headlee questions, email
2024proposals@ferndalemi.gov
Project Funding
Grants: The Parks and Recreation Department has secured three grants to develop and construct a facility with specific requirements, such as restrooms, storage, and concessions. The City is proposing to maximize these grants and utilize the opportunity to build a larger-scale facility that fosters a new community space. Current estimates place the cost of the building at approximately $9 million;, $2.1 million is secured in grant funding.
Headlee Override Millage: While the City has secured the grant funding to address immediate needs, additional funding will allow the City to bring the community’s vision to life. As led by City Council, the proposed Headlee override millage on the November Election ballot would allocate funding to be used only on City facilities. This drive for a new community space was supported by the findings and recommendations of the 2022 Resident-led Facilities Task Force Report and the 2024 Finance Committee Report. This project has culminated from years of planning, research, and input from you, our community.
If voters don’t support the millage increase, the facility will operate based on what the grants fulfill.
Project Evolution
The City of Ferndale held four in-person events and hosted two online surveys about the proposed Martin Road Park Recreation Facility to gather feedback, conceptualize the space, develop site plans, and most importantly, get to know the community.
The initial renderings illustrated building sites that impacted three relatively healthy trees, disrupted site lines, and introduced vehicular traffic and parking on an access drive. Based on feedback from the community, the City investigated new concepts and altered the design to reduce the impact to the tree canopy, improve site lines, and reduce vehicular traffic in the park.
Several residents also expressed concern for accessible parking spaces and the walkability to and from the entrance. The City of Ferndale values accessibility and strives to build a facility that supports everyone. The evolved concepts adapt to these necessities and reflect a version that maximizes available parking while minimizing walking.
Martin Road Recreation Facility FAQs
For additional questions, email 2024proposals@ferndalemi.gov.
The Project Team is composed of staff from the City Manager’s Office, Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, and the Communications Department, along with architects from Neuman Smith, and resident representatives from the Ferndale Parks and Recreation Commission, Ferndale Planning Commission, and the Ferndale Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission.
No decision has been made to move forward with this project at this time. This project is happening in real-time, by the community, and for the community. This is why we’re hosting discovery meetings and coversations—we want to know your opinion before any decisions are made.
Visit the Headlee page for more information about the Headlee override millage.
The specific grants the City has been awarded do not cover external park improvements, but the good news is there are some awesome park improvements in the process, like a new pickleball court! Learn more about the exciting things happening at Martin Road Park on the Park Planning page.
This building will operate as a recreation facility. While it is intended to offer some community features, this will primarily serve as a support facility for Martin Road Park.
The facility is intended for the entire community to use. Parks and Recreation will manage the general operations.