Grayling Celebrates New Pickleball Courts: Grayling has clinched a significant boost for its outdoor recreation scene, with a substantial $716,000 grant earmarked to enrich local outdoor activities. The funding, long pursued by various organizations, including the Crawford County Commission on Aging, marks a milestone achievement for the city.
“We’ve been working toward getting a Sparks Grant for a number of years and it’s finally happened,” remarked Alice Snyder, Director of the Crawford County Commission on Aging. The grant, awarded to Grayling as an “opportunity community” by the Department of Natural Resources and the Council of Michigan Foundations, targets locales that have faced barriers to accessing state and federal funding for outdoor projects.
“These opportunity communities were identified because they have experienced barriers or challenges to accessing state or federal funding for outdoor recreation and natural resource-based projects,” stated Abigail Ertel, Community Program Director at Huron Pines.
Excitement Over New Pickleball Courts
Among the highlights is the introduction of new pickleball courts at the Crawford County Commission on Aging, a project eagerly anticipated by the community. “We were not able to build our gym on this building because cost of constructions went up,” Snyder explained. “We’re needing another three to $4 million to get that indoor gymnasium done, which would have indoor pickleball courts. But this grant will allow us at least to have some outdoor pickleball courts.”
The addition of more pickleball facilities is particularly welcomed by local enthusiasts. Marlyn Neuberger, an avid player, expressed her enthusiasm, noting, “It’s awesome because it’s closer here,” pickleball player Marlyn Neuberger said. “I’ve played with a group that’s about 15-20 people strong. We have to go 15-20 miles to get courts and lots of times they’re busy. So you have to wait to get on the court. So anytime you have more area to play. Pickleball has become very popular as you know.”
However, the Spark Grant encompasses more than just pickleball. “One of the other project partners is the Crawford AuSable School District and with their school forest, they’ll be putting in some new pathways and outdoor structure for some shelter, which will be available both to students for outdoor learning as well as the community for additional recreation and access,” Ertel revealed. “So being able to serve both our senior population and our youth population and bring everybody into the outdoors together. It’s just a really great community pride point for Grayling.”
News in Brief: Grayling Celebrates New Pickleball Courts
Grayling has secured a significant boost to its outdoor recreation scene with a $716,000 grant aimed at enhancing local activities. Spearheaded by the Crawford County Commission on Aging, the funding signifies a long-awaited achievement for the city as an ‘opportunity community.’ Highlights include the introduction of new pickleball courts, addressing a community need for accessible sports facilities.
The grant also supports projects with the Crawford AuSable School District, enhancing outdoor learning and recreational spaces. This initiative not only serves the community’s senior and youth populations but also buils a stronger sense of pride and cohesion in Grayling’s outdoor amenities.
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