Photo courtesy of Jason Stevens
Getting it Done In Stockbridge Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff Over the past five years the communities that make up the Stockbridge Community Schools have been connecting with local and state organizations to make it easier for people in the area to move more, especially outside.
Improvements to outdoor recreation opportunities have also been made in Unadilla and Waterloo Townships. Unadilla Township worked with SAWC to fund a new playstructure at the park across from Unadilla Township Hall and Senior Center.
One of the biggest partnerships currently happening in Stockbridge is the support from Ingham County Parks and Recreation Commission’s (ICPRC) Trails and Recreation Millage. The community received more than $800,000 from the county to resurface Lakelands Trail State Park throughout Ingham County and improve the existing trailhead. Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition (SAWC) provided additional funds to install an adjacent playground.
In Munith, the local Lions Club and Waterloo Township worked with SAWC at Munith Community Park to install new playground equipment and a bike repair station, restore picnic tables, and clean up the existing shelter. It’s anticipated that more improvements will happen at that site in the next year.
ICPRC recently granted almost $400,000 to assist in updating Veterans Park. To date, the sand volleyball court, skatepark, and restroom fixtures have been replaced. An outdoor gym, bike facilities, and new benches and picnic tables have been ordered and are ready to be installed in the Spring. The trail connecting Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School to the park will also be installed in 2023. Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority and SAWC also contributed significant funds and assistance to the project.
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As important to the realization of these updates are the countless volunteer hours Stockbridge area groups have committed to these projects. Volunteers from Munith and Stockbridge Lions Clubs, local government trustees, Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition, Legacy Land Conservancy, SRSLY Stockbridge, and more have all pitched in to help. They’ve installed playground equipment, painted benches and picnic tables, trimmed trees and picked up garbage. Without their help, so many of these improvements wouldn’t have happened. Here’s to getting it done in Stockbridge!