Separate ordinances being considered in Elmwood Township would regulate use of both township parks, including park pavilions, and make it easier to fight the spread of an invasive species along the Grand Traverse Bay shoreline.

The Township Board at a special meeting Monday held first readings for both ordinances. Public hearings have been scheduled during the board’s next regular meeting set for Monday, March 8. Township supervisor Jack Kelly said votes may occur that night; if changes in the ordinances are sought the votes may be delayed until the board’s April 12 meeting.

Needs for the ordinances have been discussed at previous board meetings.

One of the more controversial aspects of the park usage ordinance would be the regulation of dogs, which would be prohibited from Greilickville Harbor Park and restricted from areas at Cherry Bend Community Park. The changes were recommended by the township Parks and Recreation Committee, Kelly said.

Greilickville Harbor Park is undergoing a massive improvement and renovation process that, so far, is ahead of schedule. The $780,000 project will include the construction of two pavilions. Pavilions there and at Cherry Bend park had been available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The result, however, has been people arriving early in the mornings or even spending nights in efforts to reserve the public spaces for private gatherings such as family reunions. The ordinance for the first time would set up a reservation system.

The second ordinance would pave the way for large-scale attacks against the invasive aquatic reed plant phragmites, which has taken up residence along the Grand Traverse Bay shoreline. While a permit was issued in 2009 offering peninsula-wide spray applications, few property owners in Elmwood Township responded to letters mailed to riparian owners seeking permission to hand-spray their shore properties. The proposed ordinance would include all properties in the program unless individual property owners opted out.

Notices have been mailed to affected property owners, Kelly said.

The Leelanau County Conservation District has received state and private grants to continue the eradication process in 2010, but is requesting local townships approved similar ordinances to provide more access. A representative of the Conservation District provided an educational slideshow at a recent Township Board meeting.

While the program has concentrated on shoreline areas below the ordinary high water mark — meaning the property is considered Great Lakes bottomland and owned by the state — Kelly said the problem has advanced to more upland areas.

“We may need to have a discussion with many of the landowners,” said Kelly. “I had no idea myself as to the extent of this infestation.”

Kelly said township board members want to move as quickly as possible on both ordinances. He also provided an update on the Greilickville Harbor project.

Bids for the project came in $105,000 over budget, forcing the Township Board to cut out a proposed $195,000 wooden promenade along the shoreline. Kelly said a new design may reinstate the promenade in a cement form that falls within the budget.

The township also recently received a $30,000 grant from Rotary Charities, and is hoping to receive a $15,000 grant from the Traverse City Light & Power foundation. The funds are being sought to assure the completed park includes two restroom facilities and playground equipment.

Kelly said progress was helped by a mild November.

“Hopefully, we feel that we may be open for business for National Cherry Festival week (July 3-10),” he said. Kal Excavating of Omena submitted the low bid, and is general contractor for the project.