Wellness Coalition helping improve parks

Info from Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition

If your family is looking for new ways to get outside and be active in the Stockbridge area, you’re in luck!

The Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition (SAWC) is working closely with the Village of Stockbridge and Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority, Unadilla Township, Ingham County Parks and Recreation, and 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) to bring exciting updates to the area.

In July, SAWC approved $25,000 to Unadilla Township to help build a new playstructure at Gregory Park. Unadilla Township is providing money for the rest of the project, which includes replacing the seats and chains of the existing swing sets. The new play structure includes slides, climbing activities and three sensory play features. Installation of the play equipment was completed Sept. 21.

Earlier this year, SAWC approved $12,000 as part of a match for a $396,400 grant from Ingham County Parks and Recreation Authority to update Veterans Park in Stockbridge. The grant includes money for installation of an accessible outdoor gym, replacement of the existing skatepark and sand volleyball features, and updates to bathroom facilities. Other improvements include new bike racks and a bike repair station, new accessible picnic tables and benches, and a hard surface trail to connect Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School to Veterans Park.

Coalition funds were allocated to the volleyball court replacement, which was finished in late September. With some good weather, the skatepark and outdoor gym should be completed by the end of October. The trail that connects Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School to Veterans Park, picnic tables, benches, and the bike rack/repair station will be installed in 2023. The Stockbridge DDA contributed $36,101 toward the new skatepark.

Since 2019, SAWC and 5HF have invested almost $95,000 in outdoor physical activity opportunities in Gregory/Unadilla Township, Munith (updates to Lions Community Park) and Stockbridge.

The 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) serves the Michigan school districts of Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge. For more information on the 5HF, visit 5healthytowns.org.