Title
Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Develop Recommendations Regarding Veterans Memorial Park
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration and approval is a request directing the City Administrator to develop recommendations regarding current and future needs at Veterans Memorial Park.
Staff
Prepared by: Josh Landefeld, Parks and Recreation Services Manager
Approved by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, City Council recognizes the importance of Veterans Memorial Park to the Ann Arbor community since its initial build in the 1960s;
Whereas, The recently completed Parks & Recreation Assessment Management Plan commissioned by the City of Ann Arbor identified significant investments needed at Veterans Memorial Park to maintain current operations;
Whereas, Veterans Memorial Park, particularly the ice arena, was significantly impacted by the April 15, 2026, tornado, forcing closure of the ice arena for the foreseeable future;
Whereas, City Council believes that before moving forward to address the significant costs of repairing and making improvements to the existing structures at Veterans Memorial Park, information should be gathered to better understand the opportunities, costs, and challenges associated with repairs or reimagining;
Whereas, City Council believes that any consideration of future decisions related to Veterans Memorial Park should be informed by data, feasibility studies, applicable law and permits, public engagement, recreation trends, partner organization input, cost information, and funding opportunities;
Whereas, City Council acknowledges that undertaking this process will keep the ice arena closed while the process is underway; and
Whereas, Staff has confirmed the operations in the north part of Veterans Memorial Park, including recreational softball and baseball, will resume in the spring, when repairs resulting from tornado will be complete;
Wh...
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