MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - After 7 years of planning and preparation the Meridian Township Park Commission unanimously approved the purchase of the Towner Road Parcel and is ready to take the next step towards Towner Road Park.

The Parcel was paid for by the Township with final payment being made in 2012.

However due to lack of a fund balance in the park millage the Township did not have the ability to start building on the property. Instead they spent the time planning according to LuAnn Maisner, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Township.

"So we spent all this time planning and its really paying off for us now. So we do have a site plan, we have engineer specifications, nearing that time where now we can go out for bid," she says.

The project is able to move forward in great part due to the new park millage which was passed by voters back in August. The Township is also applying for grants and looks to work with local business owners to help pay for the park. The project is estimated to cost around $2 million when done.

Open space for youth football, soccer, as well as a sand volleyball court, baseball fields, a playground and trails are all included in the plan for Towner Road Park.

Maisner says that she is not sure whether there will be any breaking ground this year but they do look forward to bidding the property.