Northville Township is planning to spend $31.8 million on parks, water and sewer systems, pathways and public safety equipment over the next six years, according to its newly released 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan.
That's a $3.3 million increase over the previous six-year CIP, which totaled $28.5 million.
Park improvements claim the largest share at $11.87 million. Water and Sewer Funds total $8.49 million, followed by $5.22 million in general capital spending, $3.22 million for fire department needs, $1.78 million for police and $1.28 million for parks and recreation operations.
Legacy Park expansion leads the way
The 350-acre Legacy Park off Seven Mile Road, which already has more than 10 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of mountain biking trails after completing Phases II and III in 2025, is slated for major additions. That trail project came in nearly $127,000 under budget.
The CIP calls for a pickleball complex with up to eight courts, fencing, seating and shade structures. The township envisions the complex hosting leagues, lessons, tournaments and open play while generating revenue through program registrations.
Other Legacy Park projects include an approximately 8,000-square-foot Activity Center, conversion of Building 14 into a Grand Pavilion (estimated at more than $1 million), a paved ADA-accessible trail of just over one mile along the existing rail corridor, ecological restoration work, a trail signage and wayfinding system, infrastructure upgrades and two to three automatic security access gates.
A Capital Investment Committee established in 2026, made up of Board of Trustees members and staff, is guiding Legacy Park's redevelopment. All Legacy Park projects remain subject to change based on funding and the committee's priorities.
Aging parks get attention
Marv Gans Community Park on Five Mile Road is due for a fitness playground near the AISIN pavilion, full reconstruction of the east parking lot (a 2020 evaluation found extensive cracking), rewiring of its 2004 irrigation system, restroom improvements, replacement of interior pathways built in 1999 and 2004, and a new dog park concrete pad and entrance.
At Millennium Park, both the east and west play structures will be replaced. The east structure is more than 20 years old; the west, installed in 2001, will be 29 years old when replaced. Interior pathways from 2002 are also slated for replacement.
Fish Hatchery Park's tennis and pickleball courts, installed in 1995 and now showing low spots and significant cracking, will be resurfaced in a shared project with the City of Northville.
Water, sewer and pathways
The plan includes $8.49 million in Water and Sewer Fund spending, including $6.24 million for water supply system improvements and $700,000 for sanitary sewer work. The remaining amount covers related vehicles and equipment. Another $3.3 million goes toward pathways and non-motorized improvements across the community.
What's next
The full Board of Trustees, including Supervisor Mark Abbo, Clerk Cynthia Jankowski, Treasurer Jason Rhines and Trustees Mindy Herrmann, Roland Hwang, Roger Lundberg and Christopher Roosen, received the CIP presentation at a Thursday, May 21 study session at Township Hall. No public comments were made at that session, which lasted about an hour.
Inclusion in the CIP does not guarantee a project will be funded or added to the annual budget. A formal adoption date has not been announced.
