- Feature Links
- FOCUS newsletter
FOCUS newsletter
MAY 2022
- Farmers Market Opening Day
- Attention Canton Voters
- Community input needed
- River Day and national trails day celebration June 4
- Annual fishing derby returns
Preservation Park will be bustling with local growers, food producers and artisans on Sunday, May 8, as the Canton Farmers Market kicks off its regular season from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., at 500 N. Ridge Road.
Grab some lunch from House of Mac. Chef Ramon will be hosting a cooking demonstration, and Bob Skon will be the featured musician. Kids will be able to find Ruby the Market Cardinal for a prize. Additional May highlights also include the Annual Perennial Exchange.
For details, visit www.canton-mi.org/496 or like us on Facebook. See you at the Market!
Due to redistricting, your polling location has changed. To find out where your new polling location is, please visit www.canton-mi.org/vote.
Please note, all voters will receive a new Voter Information Card in the mail.
Canton’s Planning Services is in the process of updating the community’s Comprehensive Master Plan. The Master Plan is a long-range policy document that guides the community for the next 10 – 20 years on a variety of topics, such as land use, development, housing and neighborhoods, infrastructure, transportation, environmental preservation, and more.
The update is expected to take 12 – 18 months and will include a robust public engagement strategy to gather feedback from Canton residents, business owners, property owners, and other community stakeholders.
The project will kick off this spring with all updates and information posted to www.canton-mi.org/masterplan. You may also email questions to masterplan@canton-mi.org.
This year, Canton’s annual River Day celebration will be combined with National Trails Day and hosted by Canton’s Municipal Services and Leisure Services Departments. The joint celebration will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Lower Rouge River Recreational Trailhead, located off Morton Taylor Road and Michigan Avenue.
Planned activities during this free, family-friendly event include: birdhouse building, log jam openings, nature walks, and much more! Local vendors will also set up booths for participants to browse. Light refreshments will also be served while supplies last. For up-to-date information, follow us on www.facebook.com/CantonMSD.
Experience the chance to catch a big fish at Heritage Park on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., when the ponds will once again be stocked with Rainbow Trout and hybrid bluegills. Area residents of all ages are invited to take part in this annual event, where no fishing license is required. Make sure to bring your own fishing pole! A limited number of worms will be available for purchase, while supplies last.
Registration fees are just $7 for Canton residents and $9 non-residents. Register online at www.cantonfun.org or onsite the day of the event at the concession trailer near the large pond in Heritage Park; cash only please. Registration includes a ribbon that allows the participant to take home up to three fish. For more information, visit www.cantonfun.org or call 734/394-5460.
Hello Neighbors!
Spring is in full swing and that means it is time to get outside and give our yards and outdoor spaces some care and attention.
It has been very windy lately, and that means a lot of debris is flying around and landing in our yards. Additionally, this is the time for grass, shrubs and bushes to start growing for the season, and it is important to keep them maintained. Keeping neighborhoods safe and beautiful is the responsibility of all Canton residents, especially home and property owners. A well-kept property makes the home more inviting, enhances the neighborhood and increases property values. Canton urges all property owners to incorporate these guidelines into their routine to keep the community looking good for all to enjoy.
• Clean up after your pets. Pet waste can contain harmful bacteria. When left on sidewalks or yards, it washes into storm drains or roadside ditches polluting our creeks and rivers. Also, please dispose of your pets’ waste in your own trash.
• Keep your property free of debris and clutter to deter pests and rodents from nesting.
• Offer to help neighbors who may not have the ability to maintain their outdoor space.
Be a good neighbor to your fellow homeowners, as well as to the environment in Canton. Everyone’s contribution can make a difference!
With spring weather upon us, it is important to understand the characteristics of severe weather as well as the terms used to alert the public. According to the National Weather Service, a severe thunderstorm is a storm capable of producing hail that is one inch or larger or wind gusts over 58 MPH, while a tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. You will often hear the terms watch or warning in conjunction with these weather phenomenon. A watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of a severe thunderstorm or tornado and you should be prepared to take action. A warning indicates that severe weather or a tornado has been reported or indicated by radar and there is imminent danger to life and property. You should seek immediate shelter when you are made aware of a warning.
In addition to notifications you may receive via wireless emergency alerts and social media, there are sixteen (16) outdoor warning sirens strategically placed throughout the Township to warn people who are outdoors and away from other media sources. The sirens will be activated for any one of the following reasons:
• A tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service or a trained spotter or law enforcement official
• Severe winds of 70 MPH or more
• A public safety event that warrants an immediate notification to the outdoor public such as an industrial-accident, nuclear plant disaster, or an act of terrorism or warfare
If you hear the siren or receive a weather notification, seek shelter immediately and tune into WJR AM Radio 760, or local television networks for further information and directions. Public Safety officials ask that residents leave the 911 and dispatch lines open for emergency calls only. For additional guidance please visit the Canton Public Safety webpage at www.cantonpublicsafety.org and click on the Emergency Management tab.
Public Safety’s Records Bureau will be closed to the public from May 11 – May 17
- Public Safety and MIOSHA training sessions
- Lunch and learn with the canton community foundation
- Treasurer Slavens' corner
On May 17, Canton Public Safety and MIOSHA are hosting two training sessions for the public at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill.
The first session, held from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., is “Active Shooter Survival: What is your plan?” This training will help individuals develop strategies to prepare for, react to and try to survive, active shooter and workplace violence incidents.
The second, from 1 - 4 p.m., is “Implementing Your Threat Assessment / Workplace Violence Prevention Program” and is aimed at employers seeking to implement strategies to assess potentially aggressive people and mitigate harm and prevent workplace violence.
For more details and to register for this free training, visit CantonPublicSafety.org
Join the Canton Community Foundation on Wednesday, May 18, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Canton Administration Building Board Room, for a free Lunch and Learn on “Growing Native Plants for our Caterpillars, Butterflies and Moths,” presented by Brenda Dziedzic, an award-winning Master Gardener, author, and expert on raising butterflies.
Attendees will bring their own lunch and have plenty of time to ask questions.
Visit LocalImpactAlliance.org/events/canton or call Beth Meade at 734/495-1200 to reserve your seat at this free event.
The Treasurer’s Office continues to be open and ready to serve our residents Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. It is wonderful to see everyone’s smiling faces now that we are mask free at the moment. We continue to monitor any changes to keep our staff and residents safe.
In April, the Board of Trustees approved the 2022 Water and Sewer Rates for Canton Township. Although GLWA has increased Canton Township rates 3.4%, this year the recommendation for your rates will increase an average of 3% depending on usage, as we are using the water/sewer fund to keep the rates low. The average annual increase ranges from $5/year to $40/year, depending on usage. We do our best to keep water/sewer rates as low as we can for our residents. The new rates become effective May 1. The Board of Trustees also passed a resolution, along with our surrounding communities, requesting the State of Michigan and GLWA not require the 87 member communities pay the City of Highland Park’s debt to GLWA.
As we move into spring and the rainy season, folks who have water back-up sump pumps are reminded to monitor them. Often, they will kick on and stick, resulting in high water usage and a high water bill.
As we move into the month of May and recognize National Mental Health Awareness Month, we can also look to May for many things to be grateful for including flowers blooming and Mother’s Day.
If you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to call my office at 734/394/5130.
- on stage at the village theater
- emergency preparedness training
- Liberty Fest volunteer opportunities
- bark in the park
- liberty fest returns June 1618 with fireworks on friday night
On Friday, May 6, talented singer-songwriter Steven Page, who gained legions of fans as one of the founding members and lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, is set to perform at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill.
His entertaining show will feature music from both his decade-long solo career, as well as classic hits from his 20 years as frontman of the Barenaked Ladies. For more information about this event, visit www.stevenpage.com.
Tickets are $30 - $35 and can be purchased in advance at www.cantonvillagetheater.org, by phone at 734/394-5300 or at the door, if still available.
In response to the 2021 Canton Community Health Survey, Canton Public Safety will be hosting a free emergency preparedness training session on Tuesday, May 17, from 6-8 p.m. in the Summit on the Park’s Walnut Room. Learn emergency preparedness steps residents can take in advance of a disaster or emergency to be better prepared and to help ensure you and your family’s well-being. Additionally, Canton Public Safety will provide safety and security updates. Pre-registration is required. Sign up today at www.summitonthepark.org and search activity HW5172. For additional information, call 734/394-5460.
Canton Leisure Services is seeking Liberty Fest volunteers for plenty of exciting opportunities including: Welcome and Information Booth greeters, Bike Corral assistants, Adult Beer & Wine Garden helpers, and more!
For details, call Leisure Services’ new Volunteer Coordinator Heather VanHartesveldt at 734/394-5191 or email hv4816@canton-mi.org.
Dog owners and their pets are encouraged to attend Bark in the Park at the Canton Dog Park on Saturday, May 15, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, purchase merchandise, and receive free giveaways from local pet supply and service vendors.
Both members of the Dog Park and non-members can let their dogs experience this off-leash dog park. Bark in the Park is designed to give pet owners the opportunity to learn about the Canton Dog Park, meet other pet owners, and give dogs the opportunity to become more socialized.
This event is free for all ages and no pre-registration is required. *Note non-dog park members must show proof of up-to-date vaccination for rabies, Bordetella and DHLPP, signed by an accredited veterinarian. For more information, call 734/394-5460 or visit www.cantonfun.org.
After a two-year COVID hiatus, Liberty Fest is back with some new and exciting attractions! Everything you’ve come to love about Liberty Fest will be back in Heritage Park from Thursday, June 16 through Saturday, June 18. Enjoy exciting rides, a thrilling midway area, two stages jam-packed with live entertainment, a marketplace, and much more! Watch for special wristband discounts coming soon for all the carnival rides. Please note: This year’s Fireworks display will be held on Friday, June 17, just after dark. Holding the fireworks on Fridays moving forward will now allow a Saturday night rain date if ever necessary.
Saturday fun includes the Liberty Run, Canton Lions Pancake Breakfast, and performances for the little ones, including a special opportunity to meet Peppa Pig and George and enjoy a live show and music at the Canton LIVE Stage. Also on Saturday night, Canton Township is partnering with Jack and Jill America, Incorporated Ypsilanti Chapter, to host Canton’s first-ever Juneteenth Celebration on the Heritage Park Amphitheater stage. For all the exciting details, visit www.cantonlibertyfest.com.
- free mindfulness classes
- parent to parent sale returns
- tennis free fun day
- conquer the park sprint triathlon
Starting this month, the Summit on the Park will be offering FREE six-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction classes for teens and adults.
This program will teach participants how to recognize stressors in their lives, as well as methods to help re-focus and re-align their days. Learn meditation skills and create positive habits to deal with the stress in your life. Please note, these classes do not replace professional, psychological counseling.
As a pilot session, the Summit on the Park is offering these sessions for free but all those who register must commit to the full session and provide feedback. Adults (18+) will meet on Mondays from 6 - 7 p.m. and Teens (14-17) will meet Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Sessions begin the week of May 15. Register today at www.summitonthepark.org/register. For more information, call 734/394-5460.
Are your kids’ clothing and toys taking up too much space in your basement? Sell your gently used items and go home with some money in your pocket at Canton’s Parent to Parent Sale (formerly the Mom to Mom Sale) on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the west parking lot of the Summit on the Park, located at 46000 Summit Parkway. Over 65 booths of merchandise will be available.
For additional information, please visit www.cantonfun.org.
On Saturday, May 21, bring the whole family to Griffin Park, located on Sheldon Road between Cherry Hill and Saltz Roads, for plenty of tennis fun! Canton Sports Center staff will be on the court giving free “mini” lessons for peewees, juniors, and adults from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Racquets provided. In case of inclement weather, this Tennis Free Fun Day will be moved to May 22.
For more information on this activity or summer tennis lessons, call the Canton Sports Center at 734/483-5600 or register online at www.cantonfun.org.
On Saturday, May 21, channel your inner triathlete for a sprint competition, where participants will complete a 200-meter swim, two-mile bike, and a one-mile run.
Swimming will take place in the 25-yard lap pool with split lanes in the Summit Aquatic Center. Biking and running will take place in Heritage Park. Finishers will receive a T-Shirt and medal. Heats will run in groups of six beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Register online today at www.summitonthepark.org and search ‘Conquer the Park.’ For additional information, call 734/394-5460.
Pheasant Run Golf Club staffs golf professionals for your lesson and learning needs. Staff is on hand seven days a week to provide instruction. Lessons include individual, couple or group formats.
Taught by eye with video analysis available with instructor Scott Kuhn, PGA Associate or Clayton Farnsworth, Teaching Assistant.
Call or email 734/397-6460 or pheasantrun@canton-mi.org and get started today!
It’s time to ‘Shape Up For Summer’ with a great Summit membership special. Now through May 31, Canton residents can take 15% off any three-month membership package, including: Individual, Senior, Student, Couples, and Family.
Purchase your membership online at www.summitonthepark.org with code SUMMER15, or in person at the Summit on the Park. Please note: Family Memberships are only available at the Summit front desk. This offer cannot be combined with any others; nor is it valid on prior purchases. Now’s the perfect time to get started on the path to health and fitness with a Summit on the Park membership.
For more information, call Membership Services at 734/394-5460.