Canton Township, MI - Official Website

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Leisure Services & Activities

1. What is the history of Canton Leisure Services?: Canton is rich with opportunities for leisure time activity, making Canton an attractive place to live, work, and play. The community provides a host of facilities and organized events that promote healthy life styles and active and passive activities for the entire family. Canton Leisure Services is the only accredited recreation department in Michigan and only one of 55 in the United States.

The Leisure Services Department comprises 3 divisions - Parks and Facility Maintenance, Recreation and Facility Operations, plus Central Services which serves as the clearinghouse for communications, accounts payable, and personnel issues. The respective divisions are responsible for the administrative functions required to lead the diverse and rapidly growing operation that allows for coordination of resources which ensures effective and efficient delivery of services.

Leisure Services programs are led by the Recreation Division. Programming is developed for people of all ages, including preschool, youth and teens, adults, and seniors. Specific areas include Aquatics, Athletics, the Canton Sports Center, the Senior Adults Program, Youth Development (Teens), Health / Wellness, and Special Events.

The activities and programs provide opportunities for families and friends to build relationships, create a sense of belonging in the community, and positively impact the local economy.

2. What is the Leisure Services Advisory Committee?

Through interaction with the community, the Leisure Services Advisory Committee provides the department input and guidance as Leisure Services strives to enhance health, family, and community through innovative programs, diverse services, and premier facilities. As ambassadors for the department, the committee continues to promote the endless benefits of Leisure Services through the following strategic planning sub-committees:

Revenue Enhancements
Marketing
Program Development
Partnerships/Collaborations

The committee meets the 3rd Wednesday every other month. Sub-committees meet during opposite months.

3. How does Leisure Services plan for the future?

Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan is an administrative tool to guide the department in the years to come. It is intended to be interactive, dynamic, and viable with measurable results of progress and success. This plan, combined with the operations plan for each division, provides specific direction to position the department as leaders with innovative programs, dynamic services and state of the art facilities that meet the needs of our changing community.

Our mission: "We shall be pro-active in our approach, creative in our thinking, innovative in our solutions, fair and honest in our actions, committed to a quality work environment thus foster pride, partnerships and a high quality of life for our community."

Marketing Plan
The Leisure Services Marketing Plan is intended to identify the needs of the residents / customers and to encourage them to establish a long-term relationship with Leisure Services. Plans are developed to assist in achieving the Leisure Services goals of:

Creating a sense of community and belonging
Providing premier facilities
Developing and cultivating partnerships
Efficiently utilizing resources and demonstrating fiscal responsibility
Creating a healthy community
Providing excellent customer service
Developing and empowering staff

Master Plan
The Canton community has developed an enviable array of leisure service assets composed of parks, facilities, and programs. In order to maintain and extend this high quality of leisure services to an ever-growing population base, the preparation of this Leisure Services Master Plan is a requirement of the Michigan DNR to be eligible for any potential grant funding available through the DNR.

This plan identifies the demand for new leisure activities, condition, and location of and utilization of existing parks and facilities, and the potential opportunity to embark on a community-wide comprehensive green ways program to link subdivisions and neighborhoods, and parks and facilities together to form a cohesive recreation and leisure services complex. View the complete Leisure Services Comprehensive Master Plan (PDF) for more information.

4. What is the history of the Summit on the Park?: View the Summit on the Park History page for more information.

5. How do I become a member of the Summit and what does it cost?: View the Summit on the Park Membership page for more information.

6. Does the Summit provide child care services while I am using the facility?: Yes. View the Kid's Corner page for more information.

7. How do I register for a program of class sponsored by Leisure Services?: You may register by coming by our office or online.

8. Can I get my money back if I don't like a program?: Canton Leisure Services reserves the right to cancel any activity due to low enrollment and will provide a refund. Participants will have the option to enroll in another class if space is available. An effort will be made to schedule a make-up class if a class is canceled due to inclement weather or causes beyond our control. However, if that is not possible, no partial refund will be provided.

9. If I am interested in renting one of Canton's rooms or facilities, how do I do it?: View the Online Registration website for more information.

10. Besides rooms, what other types of equipment does Canton Leisure Services rent?: View the Online Registration website for more information.

11. What is the history of Canton Parks?: Since the early 1970s Canton has embraced a parks approach and philosophy that has served the community well. Canton’s philosophy has been to encourage the development of neighborhood parks through new housing project open space requirements, while the community would provide large active parks. Today many of Canton’s neighborhoods have parks to serve the needs of residents. Many of these parks contain playground equipment, tennis courts, and swimming pools. These parks are owned and maintained by the neighborhood residents.

Hundreds of acres of neighborhood parks and open space dot the community. Canton has 342 acres of developed park land including seven existing parks. Canton also has 147 acres of undeveloped future park land. The future park land includes Patriot Park property (134 acres) and the Cherry Hill Village land at the Bartlett-Travis House property (13 acres). The first large active park developed was Griffin Park located in the eastern portion of Canton. It was followed by Flodin Park, Heritage Park, Freedom Park, and Independence Park.

Yet to be developed is Patriot Park (Ford and Ridge Roads). In 2000, 134 acres of land were purchased at the northwest corner of Ford and Ridge Roads with grant funds from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The land is a mix of old farmland, wetlands and woods. In 2002, the Patriot Park Master Plan was drafted with the help of a consultant and input from community groups and township officials. The park master plan design includes a mix of active and passive recreation opportunities and protected natural areas.

The 3 most unique parks are Independence Park (land acquired as part of an open space requirement for a new development), a 19 field soccer complex which is host to one of the largest soccer tournaments in the Midwest, Freedom Park: home of Canton’s disc course, and Heritage Park: site of Canton’s annual Liberty Fest and fireworks. The park includes lighted ball fields, a number of soccer fields, 2 lakes, an amphitheater, walking paths, 2 playscapes, a spray park, and many picnic pavilions.

12. What is Victory Park?: Victory Park began as Canton Softball Center, a privately owned primer softball complex. Year in and year out the center was identified as the nation’s best softball complex. Canton Softball Center consists of 12 enclosed lighted softball fields, each with its own players benches, electronic score board, and spectator stands. The park also includes a 300 seat restaurant in the middle of the complex. The parking lot has space for over 600 cars.

Two events occurred in 1999 which would change the future of Canton Softball Center. First, the United States Postal Service was scouting Canton for a new post office location. Canton agreed to sell to the United States Postal Service a portion of Griffin Park (along Canton Center). The site consisted of two very tired softball fields. Canton was continuing to grow and the need to replace and add new ball fields was apparent. At the same time the owner of Canton Softball Center indicated that the complex would be sold and removed to make way for industrial users. After completing a financial analysis it was determined that Canton would purchase the facility. It was also determined that the complex would continue as a softball business while offering a new home for greater Canton’s junior baseball / softball league.

In 2001 and 2002, improvements were made to the softball center complex. A new boulevard entrance was constructed along with new underground utility installation and repaving of the existing parking lot. A restroom pavilion building was also built in the center area between the ball diamonds to provide bathroom facilities and a sheltered picnic area. In addition, a new reader board sign was installed at the park entrance and over 200 trees were planted throughout the site. Along with the new infrastructure improvements at the softball center additional sports programs were established including flag football and cricket. Therefore, the center was renamed to reflect the diverse sports usage from Canton Softball Center to Canton Sports Center.

The purchase of Canton Softball Center also included 15 vacant acres along Michigan Avenue. For the better part of five years hockey parents voiced their desire for Canton to construct an indoor hockey facility. After many visits to other community facilities and estimating the cost of construction and forecasting operational costs it was determined by Canton officials not to construct a publicly owned facility. Instead the community solicited proposals from organizations interest in constructing a facility on land provided by Canton. In 2002 Arctic Edge Ice Arena opened to rave reviews. The 2 sheet ice facility includes locker rooms, training facilities, concession areas, a pro shop and party rooms.

At approximately the same time Canton officials were approached by a group who wished to construct a state of the art indoor soccer facility. The development group suggested that they be extended the "same deal" as the ice arena operators. Canton rejected this request because of the belief that the community, over the years, had done a great deal to support soccer. The development group decided to purchase the property and construct a soccer facility. High Velocity Soccer was constructed in 2002 and includes 3 indoor soccer fields, one roller blade rink, 2 small pee wee soccer fields, and a concession area.

13. What is the history of Fellows Creek Golf Club?: In 1978 Canton purchased Fellows Creek Golf Club. The initial purchase included an 18 hole golf course, a home which served as a club house and a small maintenance building. Over the years the course has under gone many significant modifications; greens and tees were improved, cart path added, a new club house and maintenance building were constructed, the parking lot was expanded and the addition of 9 new golf holes. In the spring of 2005, 2 new golf holes replaced 2 poorly designed holes. The holes were constructed by Robertson Brothers Builders as part of their Links of Fellows Creek Condo project.

This golf club offers a bar and grill, along with a banquet room that can be booked for your special occasions. This golf club is owned by Canton Township, but operated under a private contract. For more information, call 734/728-1300.

14. What is the history of the Village Theater?: View the History of the Village Theater (PDF) for more information.

15. How do I purchase tickets for any event at the Village Theater?: View the Village Theater page for more information about ticket purchasing.

16. Can I rent the Village Theater?: View the Village Center Rent page for more details.

17. How does the Cultural Commission involve the community in developing the arts?

Canton Cultural Commission
"Ensuring high quality cultural arts that are accessible to and sustained by the Greater Canton community."

The Cultural Commission serves as advocates for the enhancement of the arts in the community, promoting public awareness and participation in the cultural arts, and encouraging art education. A strategic plan was developed to ensure that high quality cultural arts are accessible to and sustained by the greater Canton community. The Cultural Commission’s planning strategies include the following active subcommittees:

Public Art Committee
Partnership for the Arts and Humanities
Community Advisory Council
Artists Advisory Council
Volunteer Council
Communication and Marketing Committee
Partnerships and Collaborations Committee

The commission meets the 3rd Monday every other month. Sub-committees meet during opposite months.

Fun Artsy Facts!
Did You Know……

Since the Village Theater at Cherry Hill celebrated its grand opening on September 11, 2004, there have been over 50,000 visitors, 180 performances, and 1,000 other events sponsored. Volunteer ushers have logged over 4,000 hours of service at the theater. This premier performing arts center is home to entertainers of all ages, hosting theater, dance, song and musicals.
"Pillars of Art" at Liberty Fest were painted by D&M Studio artists of all ages. Make sure you enjoy this refreshing public art while visiting Liberty Fest!
"Concerts in the Park" are held all summer in Heritage Park on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Bring your blankets or folding chairs and relax on the amphitheater lawn while listening to great music!
Local Artist Eddie Kulczycki of Minds Eye Studio created the beautiful murals located in the Village Theater & the Human Resource Building at Cherry Hill Village.
Artworks by various artists and art clubs are displayed and rotated monthly at the Township Administration Building, the Village Theater and the Summit on the Park.
Canton has offered cultural activities for many years. The Canton Fine Arts Exhibition is in it’s 13th year. Back Yard Beats brings entertainment to local parks and subdivisions. The DDA will be hosting Lots of Fun this summer in parking lots along Ford Road. Over 3,200 visitors attend the Thursday Night Concerts in the Park each summer.

Check out the Village Theater website for more information and events.

18. What is Cherry Hill School?: Cherry Hill School was originally located on the west side of Ridge Road, south of Cherry Hill. It was part of District 1, Canton and Superior in Wayne County and Washtenaw County. By 1875, the school had been relocated to the northwest corner of Ridge Road and Cherry Hill Road.

The school was originally a log building. It had a long low stove which provided heat. The building was 21 feet by 24 feet in size. Around the sides were two rows of slabs held up by pegs. The lower row of slabs were seats and the upper row was the desks. Slates were used instead of text books. Children brought whatever book they had a home to read. The book was usually a Bible, or an Almanac. The small children sat up front the older children in the back. In winter the temperature varied and it was often as cold as 40 degrees.

Community activity was centered around the school. Church services were held in the building when the temperature in the Church was too cold. Writing schools and spelling school were held in the winter. Often other schools were invited for competitive Spelldowns.

The present building was build in 1875 at the present location. There were 8 grades plus kindergarten. In 1942, Henry Ford became interested in the community and the school. He gave $22,000 to the school which added another room, a water system, bathrooms, and basement. The school remained in the Henry Ford School System until the mid 1960s. Canton Township purchased the building from the Plymouth Canton School District. A rehabilitation of the building as you see it today, enables it for public use.

19. Can I rent one of Canton's historical buildings?: The historic Cherry Hill School and Bartlett-Travis House are ideal settings for wedding and family photos, wedding ceremonies, showers, rehearsal dinners, and family gatherings. These facilities offer a unique setting for business or social meetings. Cherry Hill School accommodates up to 60 people. Bartlett-Travis House accommodates up to 40 people.

When you decide to host your event at the Bartlett-Travis House or Cherry Hill School, a Leisure Services staff member will remain on hand for the duration of your event to ensure your complete satisfaction. These buildings are booked upon availability. Please call the Summit on the Park Banquet and Conference Center at 734/394-5487 to make your reservation. A nonrefundable deposit shall be required at the time of signing the contract. Reservations cannot be confirmed without a deposit.