By VICTOR SKINNER
TRAVERSE CITY -- Dave Murphy first recognized the encroachment of residential development on Old Mission Peninsula about a decade ago.
To him, the need to preserve a swath of natural, public property in the south end of Peninsula Township became more evident over the years as he scoured plat maps and scouted vacant land with fellow resident Ellen Kohler.
"It was clear to me that this is where most of the houses were planned to go. It only made sense to me ... to preserve some land so people have a place close by to go to hike and recreate," Murphy said. "I have a vision of not just here and now, it's the long term, hundreds of years from now to have a beautiful wooded area."
Murphy's vision may soon become reality.
The Peninsula Township Board next month will review details of a purchase proposed by Murphy and a growing group of citizens for 62 acres of rolling woodlands off Center Road, including 450 feet of East Bay frontage.
The citizens group worked with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to secure a voluntary purchase agreement with the landowners for a swath valued at $2 million. The township board will review a 10-year, .4-mill question for the November general election ballot to fund what's currently called the Center Road Natural Area, said Mary Van Valin, group member.
"We think of this as our last best chance," Van Valin said.
"At this point for the people who live on the south side of the peninsula, it's really about 18 miles to get to a natural area on the peninsula," said Christine McGue, group member.
The citizens group collected more than 500 signatures of support. The Conservancy's public feedback also has been encouraging, said Xiomara Cordoba-Lepczyk, Conservancy land protection director.
"The last voter survey that was conducted a couple of weeks ago showed 63 percent approval for the proposed natural area," she said.
The Peninsula Township board will review the millage proposal Aug. 12, and likely will add it to the November ballot if all details are ironed out, said township Planner Gordon Hayward.
If approved by voters, the property will be managed through the township park commission, with a focus on preserving the land's natural state, he said.
"There are some ... significant natural features that would need to be protected," he said. "There are some very large trees and some very unique wetlands. There are wooded areas for walking trails and open fields."
