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Caro News
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CARO PARKS & REC. MASTER PLAN Caro Area Recreation Plan 2005-2009 INTRODUCTIONThe last park and recreation plan for the Caro area was made and approved in 1999. Since then, steady progress has been made toward improving and expanding park facilities and recreation services in and around Caro. As time goes on, patterns of park use change. Different and additional recreation services are desired. Changes must be understood, defined and addressed in order to adequately provide for parks, recreation and social interaction for all people in the community. Parks and recreation facilities are important for people of all generations as places to exercise, spend time with family and friends, play, enjoy nature and relax. We must ensure that existing and planned parks and recreation facilities can meet the needs of a changing population. Overall, the Caro area population is aging, and school enrollment is declining. Park spaces, along with facility and program planning, must adapt to reflect changes such as these. One method of insuring parks and recreation facilities and programs are meeting the current and future needs of people within the community is through development of a 5-year Parks and Recreation Plan. This is the latest Parks and Recreation Plan for the Caro area. It updates and replaces the plan adopted in 1999. It is consistent with and can serve as a supplement to the community Master Plan. This plan includes goals and objectives to be realized in the next 5 years. It identifies facilities and services desired by the Caro area community, and shows a course of action that will move toward the stated goals. It is a combined effort of many people, and speaks to the commitment and desire to work together toward improving parks and recreation for area residents and visitors. The purposes of the 5-year Parks and Recreation Plan are to:
This plan will be used as a guide for making decisions regarding improvement of parks and recreation opportunities and experiences in the Caro area, including decisions about capital improvements and programming directions. The plan will also be used to maintain eligibility to apply for funding through grants administered by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The following principles are considered in forming the Parks and Recreation Plan: 1. All people should have access to recreation activities and facilities regardless of interest, age, sex, income, cultural background, housing environment or handicap. 2. Public recreation should be coordinated with other community recreation opportunities to avoid duplication and encourage innovation. 3. Public recreation must be integrated with other public services, such as education, health, utilities and roads. 4. Facilities should be adaptable to future requirements for access, multiple use, etc. This is especially important for planning new facilities 5. Facilities and programs should be financially feasible at all stages of development; operation and maintenance place a greater (long-term) financial burden on the municipality than the initial capital cost. 6. Citizens should be involved in the recreation planning process. 7. Planning should be a continuous process, involving constant evaluation of the recommendations and making changes when and where needed. 8. Local and regional plans should be integrated where applicable. Planning: “A continuous process of analyzing data, making decisions, and developing actions aimed at achieving organizational goals” Community Data: Description and Social Characteristics The Caro area is defined as Almer Township, Indianfields Township, and the Village of Caro. The Tuscola Intermediate School District (TISD), whose service area includes all of Tuscola County (and more5), is also important to consider, as it possesses more county-wide characteristics. For purposes of this plan, information and discussions about the Caro area will include data for and refer to the Village and the two townships. Several comparisons with, and references to Tuscola County are made as well. Tuscola County and the Caro area are located in the east central portion of the Lower Peninsula. The Caro area is part of a regional economy, which includes Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Huron, and Sanilac Counties. The Village of Caro is the county seat and is located near the geographic center of Tuscola County, in the “Thumb” region of Michigan. Sanilac County lies to the east, Huron County to the northeast, Bay County to the northwest, Saginaw County to the west, and Genesee and Lapeer Counties to the south. Over one-half of the area of the Village of Caro lies within Indianfields Township. A little less than half is located within Almer Township. Almer Township lies north of and adjacent to Indianfields Township, with Gilbert Road as the boundary between the two townships. Tuscola County covers an area of approximately 913 square miles, while the Caro area (Almer and Indianfields Townships and the Village within parts of each township) covers approximately 72 square miles. (maps showing Michigan, Tuscola County and Caro area) (map showing boundaries of school district/s and ISD) Social Characteristics Population Based on 2000 U.S. Census Population Estimates, population numbers in the Caro area and Tuscola County are as follows:
Sources: www.michigan.gov/hal census highlights; U.S. Census Bureau, www.fact-index.com
Age Distribution in Caro Area and Tuscola County, 2000
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, www.fact-index.com Table _ above shows age group breakdowns for Caro Village, Almer and Indianfields Townships, and Tuscola County. Charts ___ below show age distributions in each jurisdiction in the Caro Area.
Age categories are grouped into the following life phases: Under 5 years: toddlers and preschoolers 5-19 years: school-age 20-24 years: entering workforce and college 25-54 years: workforce and child-rearing years 55-64 years: leaving workforce and early retirement 65-85+ years: post-retirement years Population Percentages in Combined Age Groups, 2000
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, www.fact-index.com The percentage of preschool-age children is consistent across jurisdictions; 6% in the Village, Almer Township and Tuscola County, and 5.4% in Indianfields Township, slightly less than state and nationwide (6.8%). Percentages of school-age people in the Village (21.6%), Almer Township (21%) and Indianfields Township (20.6%), are slightly lower, but quite consistent with state and national percentages (22.2% and 21.8% respectively). State and national percentages of people between 20-24 years are 6.5% and 6.7% respectively. Traditionally, these years have been when many people either enter the workforce or are working toward earning a college degree. The Village has the highest percentage of people in this age group (6.8%), while Almer Township has the lowest (4.8%). Indianfields Township has the highest percentage of people in the 25-54 year age group (52.4%); the Village (39.8%), Almer Township (38.5%), and Tuscola County (42.2%) are all very close to state (43.6%) and national (43.6%) percentages. In each jurisdiction, the greatest percentage of the population is within this age range. A large portion of people in this age range are typically in the workforce and raising children. Percentages of the population in early retirement and post-retirement age groups are notably higher in the Caro area and in Tuscola County than percentages in Michigan (8.7%) and the United States (8.6%). Later workforce/early retirement years (55-64) include 9.3% of the Village population, 10.6% in Almer Township, 9.7% in Indianfields Township and 10% countywide. Post-retirement population percentages are 12.3% in Michigan and 12.4% nationwide, while they are 16.2% in the Village, 19.2% in Almer Township, and 14.5% in Indianfields Township. This shows that the Caro area has a relatively large percentage of the population in near-retirement and post-retirement years. This is partly due to the existence of Tuscola County Elderly Care Facility and Pinecrest Mobile Home Park (a private mobile home retirement community). Both facilities are relatively large and have a notable effect on the percentages. *The largest percentage of people in the Caro area are between the ages of 25 and 54. Particular focus should be aimed toward facilities/amenities and programs for people in the 25-54 year age range. This does not change the fact that all age groups need recreation facilities and programs. Priorities for park development and programming should be first, for the 25-54 age group, then for the 55-and-older age group, and third, for ages 0-24. There should be activities planned for all different age groups, and some programs should attempt to bring people of one specific age group together. Other programs should bring different age groups together. By offering a good balance of facilities and programs for a variety of age groups in the Caro area, younger people may be attracted to the area to visit or live, and quality of life will be enhanced for those who call this community home.
Source: U.S. Census 1970, 1980, 1990; www.fact-index.com 2000 Median age of the Caro area, County, and State populations has steadily increased between 1970 and 2000. In 2000, Almer Township’s median age was 41, due in part to a higher proportion of elderly people. Median age in the Caro area in 2000 is 3 to 4 years older than that determined by the 1990 census. This suggests the population as a whole is getting older. School enrollment is in an overall decline; this also supports the theory of a steadily aging population. *An aging population will place increasing demands on services for elderly in the community. Demands from this age group for recreation services will likely increase because many people age 65 and over remain quite active and enjoy opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. This age group, as well as the baby boomer generation, may have more time and disposable income, so may be willing and able to spend their time and money on recreation endeavors.
Source: U.S. Census, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and Fact-Finder 2000 Number of people in individual households has steadily decreased between 1960-2000 throughout the Caro area, Tuscola County, and throughout the state. This coincides with the trend of people purchasing “more space.” Over the past 10-20 years, many families with fewer people have moved to larger houses on larger pieces of land. *An increasing number of people likely need to travel further distances to participate (or allow children to participate) in recreation activities. This issue may be addressed by offering more recreation opportunities in the townships, in addition to within the Village. Another possible solution to this issue is to focus on linkages and pedestrian routes that go “further out;” a deliberate effort could be made to reach people who want to live further from the Village, but still want to be connected. Census Housing Information for Caro Area and Tuscola County
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This
chart shows gradual population growth in all three jurisdictions between
1940-1980. Population decreased slightly between 1980 and 1990, and has
remained quite steady or slightly increased between 1990 and 2000.
Between-census estimates (for 2003) and knowledge of local officials
indicate no big changes in the past three to four years.
