Access to Recreation Kickoff
Posted on December 13, 2007
The Algonac community swimming pool is getting an “extreme makeover” as part of a project designed to create barrier-free, universal access to recreational opportunities across St. Clair County.
The pool renovation is one of several projects across the county that are part of the “Access to Recreation” initiative. Work at the Algonac pool site includes installing a ramp and transfer lift at the pool, and rebuilding the bathhouse to better accommodate persons with disabilities, said Cindy Babisz, director of the Downriver Recreation Commission and member of the Access to Recreation committee through the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
The newly accessible pool is scheduled to open to the public the summer of 2008. Bathhouse modifications will be completed in early 2009.
Other projects that will fall under the Access to Recreation umbrella are handicapped accessible canoe and kayak launches in East China and Columbus townships, and an accessible tree house to be built at the Pine River Nature Center in Wales Township. Those projects are now in the planning stage.
The Access to Recreation initiative’s long-term goal is to fundamentally reshape the development of county parks and inland waterways by being a tangible reminder that recreational opportunities shouldn’t just be for some, but should be available to all.
Details about the planned projects are available at the Access to Recreation web site, www.accesstorec.org.
The Access to Recreation initiative is funded in part through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. It will match local contributions dollar for dollar. Kellogg will also match dollar for dollar any contributions up to $90,000 to the newly established Access to Recreation Endowment Fund. For more information on contributing to this initiative, go to the web site or call initiative Coordinator Gigi Mericka at (810) 937-2707, or Cindy Babisz at (810) 794-8896. Donation envelopes can be picked up at the Downriver Recreation Commission Office and the Greater Algonac Chamber of Commerce Office. Donors also can contribute electronically through PayPal at http://www.accesstorec.org/donate.html.
