maple bay park & natural area - Grand Traverse Regional Land ...

MAPLE BAY PARK & NATURAL AREA
Maple Bay Park and Natural Area is also in very close proximity to other
public recreational lands. Aside from one privately owned parcel along
Lake Michigan, most of the property to the north is owned either by the
Land Conservancy or the State of Michigan. This adjacency not only
provides excellent recreational opportunities for residents in
the area, but it also facilitates the movement of wildlife
throughout the region.
The east side of US-31 contains the east farm buildings,
which consist of a fairly old barn and a farmhouse. While
the condition of the farmhouse is substandard, it represents
an important aspect of the park’s history and the agricultural
heritage of the region. Structurally, the barn appears to be
better condition, and its fate plays a role in the
recommendations of this plan.
The east farm building area, while relatively small, is shaded and
mowed and may serve as an entrance to the larger portion of the park,
on the east side of US-31.
Near the center of the property is a steel culvert that was
used in the past to move cattle under US-31. This “livestock
underpass” is approximately six feet in height and relatively
free of debris and obstructions. Whether this connection
can be utilized by park users remains to be seen, due to
accessibility, periodic stormwater and limited headroom.
The tunnel is located at one of the lower points on the
property, and is often inundated with water during the
springtime.
The barn was evaluated in March 2006 by White Oak
Timber Frame Ltd. Their report indicates that the barn is in
reasonable condition and can be stabilized for future use for an
approximate cost of $10,000.
The farmhouse has not had a professional evaluation to determine if it
is structurally sound and how much it will cost to stabilize the structure.
This evaluation should be done before assuming the farmhouse can be
reused.
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY 5 MAPLE BAY PARK AND NATURAL AREA
MASTER PLAN