By Lisa Carolin
Commissioners discussed the Veterans Park and Letts Creek project at the June 2, 2026 meeting of the Chelsea Parks and Recreation Commission.
Recent park surveys showed that Letts Creek is an under-utilized and under-appreciated park asset. With support from a grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation, Veterans Park and Letts Creek will be the focus of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) based upgrades over the next 12 months. Letts Creek, as a natural science resource, was the inspiration for bringing STEM into Chelsea parks.
The project consists of three parts. First, STEM play equipment will be installed this summer on the west side of Veterans Park, leaving the east side — that includes the Veterans Memorial — to remain a reflective zone. Part two includes displays and signage that tell the story of Letts Creek as it enters and leaves the city. Lastly, water and environmental programs will be presented through a partnership with the Chelsea District Library.
Pendulee Design Agency, an Ann Arbor-based museum exhibits and public art firm, has been tapped to interpret and create kid-friendly signage and displays about Letts Creek and did a presentation at the June 2 parks commission meeting.
Cashmere Morley, creative director of Pendulee, showed some of the projects they have completed, including Gallup Park’s “Five Senses Discovery Series,” which focuses on tactile play-based learning that can transform a standard park trail into a year-round interactive experience. The company has also worked with the University of Michigan, Planet Rock, and other public and private organizations throughout the United States.
The 2026-2027 Parks final budget will go to Chelsea City Council for final adoption on June 8 and includes $65,500 for the Veterans Park project.
Also at the meeting, Scott Burby, the new Department of Public Works superintendent, was introduced.
The commission voted for officers effective at its July meeting: Sharon Castle will be chair, Patrick Muldoon vice chair, and Tom Higgins secretary.
The Parks Commission will hold a work session to discuss the Freer Road property on June 5 at 9 a.m. in City Council Chambers.
The next regularly scheduled Parks Commission meeting will be on July 7 at 9 a.m.
