MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Residents will soon see major improvements to their favorite local parks. A total of 14 projects were budgeted for this year and vary from simple maintenance touch-ups to full renovations.

"I believe that our parks are really the face of our community," said LuAnn Maisner, Director of Parks & Recreation. "We have many great attributes here in the township; We have the land preserves, and our 75-mile bicycle pedestrian pathway, we have great school systems, and we also have wonderful parks and recreation programs. That's what brings people to a community, and that's what creates pride in a community... and that's why volunteers want to get involved in your community. All of this really works together, and it's really an important aspect of living in Meridian Township."

Some projects like Wonch Park, which will receive a much-needed face-lift this year with the addition of a new pavilion and parking lot repaving, won't be completed until fall or later this year.

But one of the biggest projects for 2015 is Towner Road Park. This multi-phase project will cost nearly two million dollars and is currently in the planning stages with Phase 1 up for bid this year.

"We have to put in drainage tiles, we have to make sure that the land is level and ready for ball fields, we have to expand the parking lot so that there's enough space for up to 110 cars here. So, that will be laying the ground work for Phase 1," said Phil Deschaine, Meridian Township Park Commissioner.

Local resident Carl Peabody said he looks forward to the improvements that are coming to Towner Road Park, as it's a place where he and his best friend, Hunter, spend time together every day.

"I'm excited, because this used to be a golf course or a golf driving range that I used to use a lot, and it's really nice that the township was able to buy the property and turn it into a park for the kids. It'll be a great, great opportunity," said Peabody.