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Parks commission wants more ideas before considering home’s demolition
Laketown Township wants more discussion on the future of an 84-year-old house after a committee recommended tearing it down.
“Before I use the wrecking ball, I want to make sure it’s the right thing to do,” said Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson Tom Shuff at the commission’s meeting Wednesday, Jan. 18. “I don’t like to tear things down.”
The commission decided to call in the township building inspector to examine the house at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St. Shuff also asked for more ideas for uses of a restored house.
In the meantime, the commission instructed Brett Grams, facilities operations, to post “Keep Out” signs on the exterior to minimalize potential vandalism.
The committee
In November, the parks commission set up a special committee to look at options for the 1,559-square-foot, two-story home built in 1939 by Manuel and Lilah Huyser. Lilah, 85, died in 1996. Manuel, 90, died in 1999.
The township acquired the property in 2001 for a 102-acre park that includes the unoccupied home.
The special committee, led by Parks Commissioner Jeremy Van Hoven, met in December with seven community members who concluded the house should be torn down. Safety, cost and a lack of purpose for the house were key factors in the decision.
“It’s sad but it’s a liability for the township,” Van Hoven told the parks commission Jan. 18. “We’ve got to get the sentimental away from the sensibility.”
Discussion
Shuff thanked the committee for its work and said he wanted more ideas besides demolition.
Parks Commissioner Karen Simmons, who also served on the committee, said the participants came in with open minds and made the recommendation for demolition after thoughtful discussion.
Township Manager Al Meshkin said demolition is a last resort for the house.
“Once that’s done, it’s done,” he said. “I was hoping the committee would come back with ideas.”
Meshkin has estimated restoration at $100,000 to $150,000 including electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and insulation.
Having the township building inspector look over the property is a key step, according to Shuff. If the renovation estimates are too high, the township might need to consider demolition.
“Let’s see what makes sense,” he said.
The parks commission will discuss the Huyser House issue at its Feb. 15 meeting. The meeting is 6 p.m. at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.
The parks commission will send its recommendation to the township board of trustees who will then make the final decision on the house.
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Participants grateful for hunt at Huyser Farm
Participants in the annual Huyser Archery Hunt in 2022 were grateful for the chance to use the Laketown Township park, surveys show, and several would like expanded hours and limits on non-hunters on the property.
The hunt at the Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., was Oct. 1 through Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 31. The 15 participants are chosen by lottery. They are required to complete a survey that is submitted to the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.
Applications for the 2023 hunt will be available this fall.
“Given that so much local property is privately owned, Laketown Township is happy to offer deer hunters the opportunity to participate in the long-standing tradition of archery hunting at Huyser Farm Park,” said Karen Simmons of the parks commission.
“Surveys submitted by the hunting participants have been overwhelmingly positive. Hunters and hikers alike are able to respect each other. The township values input from both and will consider any recommended changes to improve the park for all during that time,” she said.
Survey results
Of the 15 participants, 11 returned the surveys.
“I greatly appreciate the township facilitating this opportunity and will apply again next year,” one hunter wrote.
“Wish I had more time. Thanks for the opportunity,” another wrote.
Respondents spent an average of 4.4 days hunting during their about two-week window. The most days spent hunting were eight, the least was zero.
Two hunters got deer. One deer was a four-point, the other an eight-point.
Hunters reported seeing deer, coyotes, skunks, squirrels and a variety of birds.
While in the woods, seven participants said they came across hikers, people walking their dogs and student field trips. Three did not see other people and one person did not answer that survey question.
One hunter who was in the woods eight days came across non-hunters each day.
“Some were very disrespectful. Lots of dogs off leash,” the hunter wrote in the survey. The hunter suggested closing the park to non-hunters during the event.
The park property remains open for hiking, fishing and other recreational activities during the hunting times. Signs are placed at the parking area notifying people that hunting is underway.
“Every day, including a large field trip and a man with an off-leash dog that ruined my hunt two mornings,” wrote another hunter who was out on eight days. “Need rules posted for people on what is expected of them when they see a hunter!”
Another hunter reported no problems and said the non-hunters were “very respectful.”
Other suggestions for improvement of the hunt include a bigger window for the hunters and permission to build blinds from material already on the property.
The hunt has been an annual event since 2008.
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