Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Genoa Township has renewed its athletic field lease agreement with the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority.

The township doesn’t have its own parks and rec department and has partnered with community recreation authorities for field programming and routine maintenance at the township hall property off Dorr Road.

Programming of township fields includes HAPRA-sponsored events and use by local private and charter schools, community groups, and special events.

At the board’s last meeting, Township Manager Kelly VanMarter said with the popularity of the facilities and the addition of Survivor Park, they’ve started to notice some scheduling issues with field use and some events. She said most of the changes involved trying to identify and eliminate any conflicts associated with parking at the township hall, as well as clean up after large events.

A memo states the amended field lease renewal aims to help ensure that the township office, the township park, and field rentals co-exist harmoniously. Notable changes relate to township approval of events, regulations involving large events, and provisions related to parking and property maintenance. There were also some changes to reflect current practice.

VanMarter said one of the bigger issues was with the high schools and private schools that like to use the fields for practice and/or games around 4pm. She said they’ve had to limit scheduling as sometimes the township might have a board meeting or a contentious planning commission meeting where they need the parking. VanMarter said she thinks they can continue to co-exist with the provisions; they just might not be as flexible as they used to be because they need to protect their ability to use the property for taxpayers.

The lease is for a five-year term, through December 31st, 2029.

More information about the township park and facilities, as well as the Howell Senior Survivor Playscape, is available in the provided links.