Parks. People. Partners.
The Recreational Authority was formed in 2003 as a partnership between the citizens of Traverse City and Garfield Township "for the purpose of the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance or improvement of public recreation centers, public parks, and public conference centers as may be acquired by the Authority or as may be transferred to it by a participating municipality." (Articles of Incorporation, adopted June 30, 2003.)
In 2004, voters in both jurisdictions approved ballot measures for the Rec Authority to purchase and operate three properties as public parks, known today as Historic Barns Park, Hickory Meadows, and part of the Open Space on West Grand Traverse Bay. In 2020, voters approved a new 20-year operating millage for the Rec Authority to continue operations and pursue the public purchase and preservation of the Hickory Forest Natural Area, which became the newest Rec Authority parkland in 2023.
Composition
Creation of the Rec Authority was provided for under the provisions of Michigan's Recreational Authorities Act (Public Act No. 321 of 2000). The Rec Authority is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of seven members, with those members appointed as follows:
- Three are appointed by the City Commission, with at least one of those three being an elected City Commissioner
- Three are appointed by the Garfield Township Board of Trustees, with at least one of those three being an elected Garfield Township Trustee
- One is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
All board appointments are for three years and expire 6/30.
Board Members
Chad Dutmers (City Appt)
1165 Ramsdell Street, TC, 49686
(231) 499-7463
cdutmers@cciin.com
Initial Appt. Date: 05/06/2024
Termination: 06/30/2027
Laura Ness (City Appt)
233 N Madison, TC, 49684
(231) 883-4475
lauraness@charter.net
Initial Appt. Date: 08/17/2020
Termination: 06/30/2026
Kenneth Funk (City Commission Rep)
400 Boardman Ave, TC, 49684
(517) 673-2899
kenneth@traversecitymi.gov
Initial Appt. Date: 11/10/2025
Termination: 06/30/2026
Michael Groleau (Garfield Appt)
493 E Silver Lake Rd N, TC, 49685
(231) 463-8201
mike.groleau@rjginc.com
Initial Appt. Date: 11/10/2003
Termination: 06/30/2027
Kathryn Huschke (Garfield Appt)
5532 N Liberty Dr, TC, 49685
(231) 519-2079
kathy@olesonfoundation.org
Initial Appt. Date: 02/10/2026
Termination: 06/30/2026
Laurie Lapp (Garfield Board Rep)
4650 Benzonia State Rd, TC, 49684
(231) 493-5400
llapp@garfield-twp.com
Initial Appt. Date: 12/10/2024
Termination: 06/30/2028
Steve Lagerquist (Land Conservancy Appt)
2846 3 Mile Rd N, TC, 49686
(231) 929-7911
slagerquist@gtrlc.org
Initial Appt. Date: 07/01/2024
Termination: 06/30/2027