MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Park Commission is requesting a new park millage about 2/3rds of a mill to fund activities that will maintain and enhance Meridian Township Parks. The Township Board approved the ballot proposal to be before voters on August 5, 2014.

Since 1984 residents have paid a 0.137 millage to support the Meridian Township park system. The park system has grown from 324 acres in 1984 to 909 acres today. The Park Commission hopes resident will vote "yes" to approve the new 2/3rd millage for park renewal and improvement.

"Many people believes and I believe that parks are really amount the most important service in our community along with schools.Our desires are really to make it a wonderful place for people to live," said Teri Banas, Vice-Chair of the Park Commission.

The Park Commission plans to use 12 years to complete the park improvement renovation project from 2014 to 2025. 8 million dollars will be used for park projects and improvement such as the Towner Road Development Plan, redevelopment of Central Park, Legg Park and Wonch Park. And 6 million dollars will be used for maintenance, such as updating playground equipment and amenities like loop trails and pavilions in other pars. As well as amenities along the Riverfront trail system.

If the proposal gets approved, the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $66.67 per year in property taxes for the next 12 years. And the existing 0.317 park millage would end in 2016 and not be requested for renewal.