Today the Village Council received word from Jennifer Jay, the director of communications and engagement for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, that their organization has closed the real estate sale with Elberta Land Holding Company. One immediate effect this news has: We can plan for an enormous new park! Make sure you read the Parks & Recreation Five-Year Plan and get your comments in. The plan will be voted on this Thursday, December 19, at the 7 pm Village Council meeting. ‘Tis indeed a season to be jolly!

Gather ye, o Villagers, this coming Friday (St. Nicholas Day) to light up a big tree in the Waterfront Park in honor of our late beloved community leaders Linda Manville and Diane “Jinx” Jenks, who loved Christmas and loved Elberta. The event begins at 7 pm; lights go on at 7:30. Cocoa generously provided by the folks at Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs, and singing voices provided by you as we tootle some carols. (Beautiful image below provided by our own Paula Friedrich.) All are welcome! Spread the word among the nations!

Instead, the Commission will attend a public meeting at Frankfort-Elberta Elementary School titled “Let’s Talk About Housing: Benzie County” on December 4 from 6 pm to 8 pm. The presentation is sponsored by Housing North, Frankfort Area Community Land Trust, and Flywheel Community Development Services. The Planning Commission will meet again as usual on January 8.

A friendly reminder that the Village does not pick up leaves (unlike Frankfort), and only occasionally picks up sticks and brush. If you choose to make leaf piles and want them to disappear, you may bring them to the Village Brush Pile at end of 1st Street. Please dump the leaves only (no bags) as far back on the pile as possible. Alternatively, leave the leaves where they fell, or use them as excellent mulch in your garden.

The draft Village of Elberta Parks & Recreation 5-Year Plan is ready to view and download!

Public comment is open on the draft Village of Elberta Parks & Recreation 5-Year Plan. The public review period is 30 days beginning November 14, 2024. A public hearing will be held at 7pm on December 19, 2024, prior to the regular meeting of the Elberta Village Council, at the Community Building on 401 First Street, Elberta, MI 49628 to accept verbal comments before the plan is presented to the Elberta Village Council for adoption.  

The DRAFT 2025-2029 Village of Elberta Recreation Plan is also available in hard copy at the Village Office at 151 Pearson Street Elberta MI, 49628 by request. Written comments may be mailed to Village of Elberta, PO Box 8, Elberta, MI 49628, or emailed to clerk@villageofelberta.com, subject line “Park Plan.” 

November 15: Open 30-Day Public Review

December 19: Public hearing + vote on plan 

October 14, 2024 — Please take some time to fill out this survey for our 2025-2029 Parks and Recreation Plan. This is your opportunity to weigh in on how you’d like our parks to be managed and what features you’d like to see, including down by the waterfront. The survey is available online here: Elberta Parks & Recreation Survey, in hard copy at the Village Office, and as a downloadable pdf. See more information below about the timeline for adopting the plan.

In addition to the survey, there will be an initial public input meeting on October 29 at the Life Saving Station from 5 pm to 7 pm.

According to Brett McGregor, who is organizing this process, this open house is an opportunity to meet with Parks & Rec members and discuss ideas for the possible  new parkland on the waterfront.

The full timeline goes like this: 

October 15         

Open public input on Parks & Rec Plan through paper online survey (see above)

October 29        

Collect in-person public input on Parks & Rec Plan at Open house at Life Saving Station, 5 pm to 7 pm

October 30       

Close ALL public input

November 14   

Final approval from Parks & Rec Commission at P&R meeting, Community Building, 6 pm.

November 15   

Open 30-Day Public Review

December 19   

Public hearing + vote to adopt plan at Village Council meeting, 7:00 PM

Hello Village (and Gilmore) Voters,

A reminder that the official secure ballot dropbox is located at the Community Building, 401 First Street, just by the entrance. Please drop your ballots there and not at the Village Office. Gilmore Township runs our elections, not the Village Office.

Early in-person voting began on Saturday, October 26, and happens at Frankfort City Hall from 8 am to 4 pm up until the day of the election.

On Tuesday, November 5, regular in-person voting happens as usual at our precinct, which is the Community Building, 401 First Street. On election day, the polls at the Community Building are open from 7 am to 8 pm!

Thank you for voting!!

Emily Votruba, Village Trustee