Title
Resolution to Name the Property Transferred to City of Ann Arbor from the Joseph Donald Brokaw and Earldine R. Brokaw Foundation as “Brokaw Nature Area”
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to recommend the naming of the property acquired from the Joseph Donald Brokaw and Earldine R. Brokaw Foundation as “Brokaw Nature Area.”
In October 2013, the 24.25 acre property was conveyed to the City of Ann Arbor pursuant to a on Order of the Probate Court for the County of Washtenaw In the Matter of: Joseph Donald Brokaw and Earldine R. Brokaw Foundation to be used as a public park. The transfer of the property and the Foundation’s investment account as an endowment to support the new park’s operations was in accordance with the charitable intent of the Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw.
The property contains an oak-hickory forest, and a wide variety of plant and animal species have been observed on the property. Three types of plant communities have been identified, including wet mesic forest, mesic forest, and old field.
The wet mesic forest includes an intermittent stream, and swamp white oak, bog clearweed, skunk cabbage, swamp goldenrod, jewelweed, jack-in-the-pulpit, and green dragon have been found here. The mesic forest is located on drier soils in the higher areas of the property and features gorgeous views of the Huron River and seven species of oaks. Shingle oaks are found in this plant community, and the property is one of only two Ann Arbor city parks where this oak species is located. The wildflowers wild bergamot, common mountain mint, St. John’s wort, common milkweed, and purple meadow rue are found in the old field plant community of the property.
An old house on the property had to be demolished before the park could be deemed safe for public use. The demolition was recently completed, and parks staff will start ecological restoration efforts and build a trail system that will minimize erosion.
Given that the property was transferred to the City based on charitable intent of the Foundation’s incorporator, Joseph Donald Brokaw, along with a separate endowment to be used for the upkeep and maintenance of the property for use of the public, park staff recommends that the property be named “Brokaw Nature Area.”
The Park Advisory Commission unanimously recommended naming the property “Brokaw Nature Area” at its December 19, 2017 meeting.
Attachment: Location Map
Staff
Prepared by: Ruth Thornton, Greenbelt Program Manager, The Conservation Fund
Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: Colin Smith, Parks and Recreation Services Manager
Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In October 2013, the property was conveyed to the City from the Joseph Donald Brokaw and Earldine R. Brokaw Foundation to be used as a public park together with a stewardship endowment to support the new park’s operations;;
Whereas, The property contains high quality ecological features;
Whereas, The Park Advisory Commission unanimously recommended that the property be named “Brokaw Nature Area” at their December 19, 2017 meeting;
RESOLVED, That the Park Advisory Commission recommends Mayor and City Council approve the parkland transferred to the City of Ann Arbor from the Joseph Donald Brokaw and Earldine R. Brokaw Foundation be named "Brokaw Nature Area."