Boosting pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to downtown, raising the public profile of fine arts, and establishing a standalone parks and recreation department were key takeaways in a master plan approved by Vicksburg Village Council members.
Mike Hoffmeister, municipal manager with Mannik Smith Group, assisted with assembling Vicksburg’s Parks and Recreation’s five-year master plan. He presented details to council members at a recent meeting.
Hoffmeister said the process started in early 2025. Last month’s approval by the council was the result.
“Ultimately, the most important part for the village, the parks and recreation commission, and the staff is the goals and the action plan for the future of parks and recreation in the village of Vicksburg,” he said.
Hoffmeister said his conclusions were based in part on feedback provided during a series of public-input sessions, and a public survey available at village hall and online.
He touched on the five most frequent replies received:
- Keep up with park maintenance and improvements. “Continue to maintain what you have … the general public and the feedback (indicate) you don’t need more parks, they want better parks, well-maintained parks, new play structures, new benches, things that could help improve existing parks,” Hoffmeister said.
- Create better pedestrian and bicycle connectivity throughout the village. “More connectivity to downtown, more connectivity to the north, more connectivity to the south, to the west, whether that’s multi-use bike trails or just general connectivity to the downtown so people can enjoy the parks and the shops,” he said.
- Prioritize cultural and fine arts. “We had a great conversation with Vicksburg arts about integrating arts – public arts, cultural arts, music and performing arts – into the parks system, along the trails and in the village,” Hoffmeister said.
- Establish a standalone parks and recreation department. “That is goal No. 4. It is not high on the list, but it was heard a number of times that perhaps the village should support a parks and recreation department,” he said. “Perhaps to help establish parks and rec programming, to hire park maintenance, someone who could lead special efforts in town.”
- Create a feature park or performance venue. “You’ve got some beautiful parks in your community,” he said. “Clark Park is kind of a natural amphitheater setting that could be transitioned into a performance venue. You have a park on a beach, where more play amenities or water play could become a feature,” Hoffmeister said.
He explained that the master plan can be referred to as a road map to help guide the village as it continues to focus on the future of its parks and recreation. Hoffmeister leaned into his expertise to label an assortment of future plans in one of three levels of urgency: immediate action, intermediate action and long-term action.
With the board’s approval of the master plan, Hoffmeister was to take the next step of submitting it to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources prior to a February 1 deadline. He explained that entities qualify for state funding grants with an approved parks and recreation master plan in place. DNR officials review all grant requests filed by the deadline and start identifying recipients on April 1, Hoffmeister said.
Board President Tim Frisbie acknowledged that satisfying goals identified in the master plan will require a commitment from the village council. “It’s not saying we have to do everything that’s in here,” he said. “But it gives really good guidance and some funding expectations.”
The master plan, detailed in a 48-page document, was recommended Dec. 22 by the Vicksburg Parks and Recreation Board. The village dedicates $127,500 a year to its Parks and Recreation budget.
