By Laura Fitzgerald
Klecha Park in St. Clair was made accessible to people of all abilities thanks to recreation grants of nearly $220,000 from the St. Clair Endowment Funds to the City of St. Clair for accessible pathways and playground surfaces.
“We want the park available for all abilities and all uses,” said City of St. Clair Recreation Director Trice Hawkins. “We don’t want to exclude anyone from taking part in recreation in any of our parks and facilities.”
The grant was used to install handicapped parking, accessible pathways throughout the park and an accessible poured or turf surface on the playground so that people with wheelchairs, canes, walkers and other mobility equipment can easily access all areas of the park.
Located at the corner of Palmer Road and Goffe Street, Klecha Park fell out of regular use when the city’s Little League teams relocated to Legacy Park. The city broke ground on a new splash pad earlier this year with a $300,000 Cargill grant, part of a larger two-year redesign effort aimed at revitalizing the once-forgotten park.
The redesign also includes the installation of the playground, baseball field updates, a multi-use court, accessible playground equipment and a picnic pavilion.
“It’s creating new recreational opportunities for that neighborhood and for the community. It’s giving people a destination – to go to the park,” Hawkins said. “When the Little League moved to their new location, it lost its community-wide appeal. People weren’t going. So, we’re recreating Klecha Park and giving it a totally new design. In doing so, we are serving our neighborhood and also our community.”
The park also promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging families to get outside and exercise.
“It’s important that these parks are walkable, either off the Bridge to Bay trail, or by walking or biking from the neighborhood,” Hawkins said. “Being outdoors is good for youth wellness and adults of any age group for staying healthy both mentally and physically.”
The Community Foundation has contributed to numerous placemaking, beautification and economic development projects that enhance St. Clair’s vibrancy and make it an attractive place for residents and visitors to live, work and play.
“The St. Clair Endowment Funds’ support of the Klecha Park redevelopment project was important, as it not only serves all of the St. Clair community, but it will also improve the neighborhood and surrounding redevelopment,” said Will Oldford, chair of the St. Clair Endowment Funds. “The park had little use after the Little League moved to its new facilities, and with the new splash pad and playground, among other improvements, all the community will benefit.”
Some other placemaking and beautification projects include the revitalization of the St. Clair Riverview Plaza, the Imagination Station playground, hanging flower baskets on the boardwalk, and numerous other park improvements.
“The Community Foundation has been very generous to the city of St Clair. They have contributed to multiple parks, including Klecha Park as our latest project, and it’s always very much appreciated,” Hawkins said. “It’s always a pleasure to work with the Community Foundation. They’re very civic-minded and approachable and always have our community’s best interest in mind.”
To explore or donate to any of the Community Foundation’s funds, visit our giving center. Want to learn how to support recreation in your community? Contact Program Officer Natacha Hayden at (810) 984 – 4761 or natacha@stclairfoundation.org.