After anxiously awaiting an answer for the last two months, it was announced last Thursday that Oxford Twp. Parks and Recreation was awarded a $192,280 grant from Access to Recreation for the buildingof a township SplashPad.
Although the original amount ofthe grant was supposed to be for$240,000, Oxford ended up splittingthe funds with the City of DeWitt.
‘I’m really excited,? said RonDavis, the Director of Oxford Twp.Parks and Rec., who announcedit to a crowd full of local serviceclub members at Oxford Hills Golf& Country Club. ‘I can honestlysay day in and day out, it’s allabout the kids in the community.?
The SplashPad, which will make its home at Seymour LakeTownship Park, is an aquatic rec-reation system that provides for endless combinations of interactive play with a fully automated support system. The fun comes from the endlessenjoyment of water as it is sprayed,gushed, dumped and poured the play products.
It will offer 6,200 square feet of aquatic family fun and will be completely ADA universally accessible.
According to Davis, the total cost of the park feature is $390,000. Last year, the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Commission threw $100,000 toward the project.
The big surprise at Thursday’s announcement came when Jeff Davidson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Oxford Bank, said the bank would chip in $10,000.
As if that weren’t enough, Davidson cut a $1,000 personal check toward the project as well.
‘I can’t ask you guys to jump in if I don’t,? he told the crowd.
That leaves a balance of $86,720, which the local service groups, like Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary, helping to raise the rest.
On Friday, the groups will be holding their Texas Hold’em Charity Poker event at Boulder Pointe to raise more money.
For more information on the tournament, please contact Laura Marracco at (248) 969-8067 or by e-mail at Laura@residentialmarketplace.com.
Davis also will apply for a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan that could go toward the project that is supposed to be completed by March ?09.
‘This is a huge shot in the arm for our little community in the state of Michigan,? he told the crowd.
When he looked at the statistics, Davis said there were about 48,000 children in a 20 mile radius of Oxford who have some sort of disability who would greatly benefit from this SplashPad.
Children from Orion, Addison, Brandon and Lapeer would most likely flock to the park.
‘I’m a firm believer that a community that recreates together, stays together,? he said. ‘It’s an opportunity to open up windows, create dreams, unite families and build hope for kids and adults who are less fortunate.?
Scott Ockerman, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Oxford, reminded the audience of the woman who first mentioned building a SplashPad ? the late Gini Britton.
‘Without Gini’s magical glow and passion, I don’t think we’d be here today,? he said. ‘I know she would be so proud of this.?
In memory of Britton, Davis said a memorial garden will eventually be placed alongside the SplashPad.
For more information on how you can donate to the SplashPad, please contact the Oxford Township Parks & Recreation Department at (248) 628-1720.