Park Commission

Authorizing Statute:
Township Parks and Places of Recreation Act, Public Act 157 of 1905, MCL 41.421, et seq.

Authorities and Responsibilities:
The township park commission shall have authority to acquire, maintain, manage, and control township parks and places of recreation, including bathing beaches, and shall have authority, in the name of the township, to condemn land for those purposes, in accordance with the condemnation laws of this state. The township board may authorize the township park commission to act as the township recreation board. The township park commission may accept, in the name of the township, gifts, grants, and devises of land suitable for parks and places of recreation, and gifts and bequests of money. That money shall be held in trust and used for the acquisition and improvement of land suitable for parks and places of recreation.

Established By:
On receipt of a written petition signed by not less than 8% of the registered voters of a township, the township board of that township, at its first meeting after the receipt of the petition, shall submit the question of establishing a township park commission to the registered voters of the township at the next regular election to be held in the township.

Membership:
If a majority of the registered voters voting on the question vote in favor of establishing a township park commission, the township board shall appoint an odd number of members not fewer than 5 or more than 9 as determined by the township board.

The members appointed shall serve until the next township election at which township officers are elected, when the members of the township park commission shall be elected for terms of 4 years each.

Compensation to Members:
The members of the township park commission shall receive compensation as fixed by the township board. The township park commission may employ clerical assistance and incur other expenses that are authorized by the township board. Compensation and expenses shall be paid from the park maintenance fund.

OMA/FOIA Status:
Public body subject to Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.