ESCANABA — The Escanaba City Council approved a five-year plan for the future of recreation in the city at its meeting Thursday night.

CUPPAD aided the city recreation department in developing the plan. A long-range recreation plan is a requirement for municipalities to receive grant funding.

According to an outline of the plan by CUPPAD, the area shows a strong connection to the waterfront, would like more opportunities for young adults and have a community that is pedestrian friendly. Currently, the amount the city spends on recreation is comparable to other communities the size of Escanaba, but the recreation department has fewer employees — three.

What other recreation opportunities do residents want? According to the plan, top picks are more bike and hiking trails, as well as more activities and events.

In another item related to recreation, council voted to approve a contract with CUPPAD for $2,700 to develop a site plan and visualization of an inner harbor walkway with integrated fishing piers in Ludington Park.

City Manager Patrick Jordan mentioned that the bridge to Aronson Island could play a role in providing the city’s contribution to matching funds for any possible grants for the walkway and fishing pier project.

The Aronson Island bridge was damaged about a year and a half ago when it was struck by a vehicle. The city could repair the current bridge or construct a new one. Jordan said the current bridge is 100 years old and the culverts that are part of the bridge’s construction provide poor habitat for aquatic life and are frowned upon by the Department of Natural Resources.

Jordan said a new bridge could be constructed that does away with the culverts and has approaches built in for a walkway and bike path.

The council’s voted was only to approve CUPPAD developing a site plan for the inner harbor walkway with integrated fishing piers.

In other business, council:

– approved lease amendments between the city and Bay College for soccer fields.

– reappointed Glendon Brown and Tim Wilson to the Electric Advisory Committee.

– appointed Kelli Van Ginhoven to the Downtown Development Authority.

– went into closed session with Bernstein Law Group on settlement agreements in a national opioid lawsuit.