Access to recreation is important, especially for children. Studies show kids should get at least one hour of exercise every day. Doing so leads to better outlooks on life and helps with a variety of health issues.
Thanks to the generous support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, earlier this year the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, St. Clair County Parks & Recreation and the James C. Acheson Fund partnered together for a multi-purpose courts project in St. Clair County.
“Promoting healthy lifestyles and allowing everyone access to recreation leads to more vibrant communities,” said Michael Cansfield, board chair of the Community Foundation. “We’re proud to collaborate with friends and partners to strengthen the county by making more multi-purpose courts available.”
Under the grant program, local communities could apply for a $10,000 Community Foundation grant and separately apply for a $5,000 matching grant from the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission. “The Parks and Recreation Commission is pleased to be able to continue to partner with the Community Foundation to support targeted recreation facility development projects that bring grant dollars into St. Clair County.” said Mark Brochu, director of St. Clair County Parks and Recreation.
A total $150,000 has been granted out so far.
Two townships, one village, three cities and one housing commission submitted applications for thirteen projects. Two projects were not funded since they were not multi-purpose courts and one project was not funded since it primarily benefited a private organization.
Current grant recipients are as follows:
City of Port Huron
16th Street Park- $15,000
Optimist Park- $15,000
Sanborn Park- $15,000
Port Huron Township
Baker’s Field Park-$15,000
Port Huron Housing Commission
Huron & Gratiot Village- $15,000
Marysville
Marysville Park – $15,000
Morton Park -$15,000
Village of Capac
Whistle Stop Park- $15,000
Wales Township
Wales Township Park- $15,000
Marine City
King Road Park- $15,000
The Community Foundation will be accepting more applications starting Dec. 21 and will fund five more multi-purpose courts. The money, up to $10,000 each, can be used to support the renovation or new construction of outdoor multi-purpose courts within St. Clair County.
Applicants may seek up to $5,000 in matching funds per court project from St. Clair County Parks & Recreation.
The application deadline will be late January.