Traverse City-Garfield Recreational Authority Schedules Public Hearing on Plan

The joint authority overseeing recreation in Traverse City and Garfield Township announced an upcoming public hearing on its draft Five-Year Recreation Plan for 2026. The hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Governmental Center at 400 Boardman Avenue in Traverse City.

A copy of the draft plan is available for public review online at recauthority.org or by contacting the Executive Director’s office. Any interested person may address the Board at the hearing. Residents who require special assistance to participate are asked to contact the City Clerk in advance so reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

Five-year recreation plans serve as the roadmap for how a community manages parks, trails, playgrounds and recreational programming. For Grand Traverse County residents, the authority’s plan will influence decisions about maintenance priorities, capital improvements, scheduling and the types of services offered to youth, seniors and other community groups. The plan also helps municipal leaders align spending with community needs and can be a factor in securing outside grants and state funding that support local projects.

Public hearings provide a formal opportunity for residents to make their priorities known and to influence how limited resources are allocated. The authority’s invitation for public comment means neighbors can weigh in on priorities such as access, safety, year-round programming and the equitable distribution of facilities across neighborhoods. Participation at this stage can shape project lists and timelines included in the final plan.

Logistics for the hearing are straightforward: the meeting is at 7:00 p.m. on January 7, 2026 at the Governmental Center, Commission Chambers, 400 Boardman Avenue, second floor. The draft plan can be accessed now at recauthority.org. Those who prefer printed copies or need to coordinate accommodations can contact the Executive Director’s office or the City Clerk ahead of the meeting.

As the authority moves toward finalizing its Five-Year Recreation Plan, the coming hearing will be the principal avenue for public influence. Residents with opinions on parks, trails and recreational programming are encouraged to review the draft and participate in the January 7 meeting to ensure that local voices shape the community’s recreational future.