WEST RIVER ROAD PARK
Jerome Township has added a new park to its recreation opportunities
Jerome Township recently wrapped up an exciting project that added a new park to the area and provides easy assess to seniors from the Sanford Senior Services Center.
The new park, named West River Road Park, is located about a mile north of the US-10 interchange and includes 40 acres of woods. The land was gifted to the Township by the Meridian School District. The new park site used to be the location of the original Jerome Township Hall built in 1910, which has since been moved to museum grounds in Sanford.
While Jerome Township has many recreational locations including Pine Haven Recreational Area, AuSable State Forest, and Sanford Lake Park, the Township’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified the goal of continuing to create an attractive community that meets the physical, social, and economic needs of its residents and businesses in an environmentally sensitive manner.
The 40 acres gifted to the Township was a great place to start achieving this goal since the Township had discussed its development for many years. The park’s close proximity to the Sanford Senior Activity and Dining Center also made it a very popular option to develop a park.
In December of 2018, Jerome Township received a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land Water Conservation Fund grant for $146,600 to help fund the project. Spicer Group did several walkthroughs of the premise and worked with the Township to come up with a preliminary design. There was already a general idea in place of amenities that the Township wanted to implement, but Spicer Group worked with officials to finalize the design plans.
The new 4,000-foot-long crushed aggregate trail loops around wetlands and wooded areas and connects to the Sanford Senior Activity and Dining Center. It also features seven boardwalk crossings through low areas. The entire trail meets the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The neighboring Sanford Senior Services of Midland County Activity and Dining Center expressed enthusiasm at the idea of a park being so close to their facility.
“The members of the senior center are excited to be able to utilize the connecting pathway and park features,” said Joe Wright, Spicer Group project manager for the West River Road Park improvements. “The Center often hosts outdoor activities, which can now be held at the park such as Zumba, walking groups, and yoga.”
Challenges in this project arose as the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the price of lumber and site furnishings, as well as the project schedule. The project was completed in late fall of 2021.
Sova Excavating and Trucking, Inc. was the general contractor that worked along with Spicer Group to complete the construction for this project. As construction for this project progressed, there was much anticipation from the community members of Jerome Township.
“Everyone was very eager to utilize the new park and its features.” Wright said. “There were even people lined up to be the first to use the tennis and pickleball court.”
