SOLID WASTE

 

Solid waste is collected by a number of haulers operating throughout Northern Michigan. This waste is collected and taken to landfills located in Charlevoix, Crawford, and Leelanau Counties for disposal. Residential collection of recyclables is not available nor is a recycling drop-off site within the Township. Financial considerations have resulted in the closure of many of the drop-off locations in Antrim County. Drop-off sites for recyclables available to township residents exist in Elk Rapids as well as in Grand Traverse County and Emmet County. A drop-off site exists in Central Lake Township but is not currently available to Forest Home Township residents.

 

RECREATION

 

Forest Home Township contains 14 public access sites. Forest Home Township operates a park on Torch Lake at the north end of the Township which is open for day use only. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources operates three boat launch sites: one on Clam Lake, one on Lake Bellaire, and one on Intermediate Lake. In addition to the Township Park and the DNR sites, nine roads which end at the water's edge are available for the public. These dead end road access sites while small, do provide a means of access to the water for the general public. Between these fourteen sites, access to the water is generally convenient from virtually all locations within the Township.

 

The Grass River Natural Area located in the southeastern part of the Township is composed of over 1,000 acres. This area borders the Grass River with a portion located in Forest Home Township and the balance contained in Helena and Custer Townships. This property contains two miles of board-walked trails, bridges, benches, observation platforms and interpretive displays. The Nature Building is open during the summer when a naturalist is on duty to provide educational programs including tours and classes.

 

In addition to the Grass River Natural Area, Antrim County owns over 418 acres of land in Forest Home Township which are not currently being used for recreational purposes but have recreational potential. A 98 acre parcel located on Vandermark Road contains a valley in which the Antrim County Sheriff's Department has established a target range for use by the Department. A second parcel of 320 acres, is bisected by orchard Hill Road. This parcel is forested and managed for timber production purposes. Antrim County owns additional small parcels which may have value for various types of recreational uses. The County has no plans at this time for other uses of the property. While not used for recreation

 

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purposes, this land does have the potential to be developed for low intensity recreation use such as hiking, biking and cross country ski trails. These activities would fit in with a multiple use concept for forest land.

 

Central Lake Public Schools owns a parcel of 137 acres with frontage on M-88 just inside the northern boundary of the township. Bellaire Public Schools also owns land in the vicinity of the school that does not currently contain buildings or recreational facilities.

 

The township hall is located within the Village of Bellaire. A meeting room, kitchen, and restrooms are contained within the building which makes it suitable for use by small groups. The size of the meeting room limits the number of people that can be accommodated. This should not present a problem as the County Building, Bellaire Public Schools and Shanty Creek are all close to the township and contain meeting rooms or multiple purpose facilities that could be made available for community use.

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