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Berrien County Road Commission
1121 Milton Street
Benton Harbor, Michigan

March hl, 1966

Attention: Mr, Heath Calvin
Gentlemen:

A number of area conservation organizations are interested in the establishment
of a county park and recreation commission.

A committee composed of Mr. Dick Merson of the Berrien County Sportsmen Club, Mr.
Steve Smith, Michigan Audubon Society and myself, as a representative of the Grand
Mere Association, have discussed this with Mr. Calfin and with the Berrien County
Planning Commission. —

At their meeting March 3 the Planning Commission approved a resolution recommending

to the County Board of Supervicors the establishment of a County Park and Recreation
Committee in accord with the authority of P.A. 261, 1965.

The coordination of such a committee with other county planning agencies is assured by the p
provision of the act reqviring that the chairman of the @ounty Road Commission, the
chairman of the County Planning Commission and the County Drain Commission be among the

ten (10) member board.

Such a body could coordinate all park efforts in the County, and could participate in
the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund ~ whereby matching federal funds are
obtained through the State Conservation Department.

I have worked closely with the County Zoning Commi ttee Chairman, Mr. Ken Palmer, who

will introduce the formal resolution for the formation of such a commission at the
_ March 21st Board of Supervisors meeting.

Could we have your approval of such a commission? A reply to: Mr. K. W. Palmer
Chairman, Berrien County Zoning ope 21 Jackson Court, Coloma, by March 21st
will be ereatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Frank Lahr

Member = Berrien County Planning Commission
Vice Chairman - GRAND MERE ASSOCIATION