Illustration courtesy of the Trenton Parks and Recreation Department
The above graphic shows one of the options that will be installed during the Haas Park community-build date Sept. 19 and 20.
By JAMES MITCHELL
unday Times Newspapers
TRENTON – Parks and Recreation officials are looking for a few good neighbors to take part in rebuilding a community gathering space at Haas Park, at Sibley Road and Washington Street.
A community-build date is set for next month to install playground equipment, the first phase of a project made possible by state and county grants totaling more than $100,000.
Parks and Recreation Director Joann Gonyea said volunteers of all skill levels are invited to join the two-day effort beginning at 8 a.m. Sept. 19. The installation represents the first step toward restoring the park facilities.
A communal building was torn down in 2011 for safety reasons and playground equipment had fallen out of compliance.
Plans to revitalize the park began with a $50,000 grant from the 2012 Wayne County Parks millage, an amount nearly matched in December 2013 with $45,000 from the Department of Natural Resources and a 25 percent in-kind donation for a total of $107,000 worth of park improvements.
Trenton was among 19 communities in the state that shared in more than $750,000 in Recreation Passport grants from the state. The funds were derived from the sale of state park vehicle entry permits.
Combined, the grant funds will be used to purchase and install a new picnic shelter, playground equipment and connecting paths to the park’s existing facilities. Gonyea said last week that final approval had been given to order and install the first phase of the project.
After next month’s equipment installation, the second phase of the project will begin in late fall and construct a new picnic shelter, which along with the pathways is scheduled to be finished by spring 2015.
Gonyea said construction experience is not needed for the build, only a desire to take part in restoring a neighborhood tradition. There will be a job for everyone, she said, and volunteers are also being sought to help provide food and refreshments.
Anyone interested in joining the community build can contact Parks and Recreation at 734-675-7300 for more information.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)