Brandon Twp.- After years of planning, the grand opening of the Brandon Township Community Park will be celebrated at 11 a.m., May 31, at the park located at the corner of Oakwood and Hadley roads.
‘I’m looking forward to the residents coming out and seeing the park, and I will be available at the event to take them on tours,? said Brandon Parks and Recreation Director Fred Waybrant.
The grand opening will feature guest speakers including Dan Stencil, executive officer for Oakland County Parks and Recreation, and Roger McCarville, host of the PBS show ‘Disabilities Today,’and member of the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council. The local cable station will tape the event and it will also be filmed for broadcast on’Disabilities Today.? The Brandon Township Community Park is a universally accessible park, with no barriers for the disabled.
Waybrant said the grand opening is a social gathering and invites residents to bring chairs or blankets. Refreshments will be provided by the Ortonville Rotary Club.
‘It will be a great day for our community,? said Township Supervisor Ron Lapp. ‘We have the start of a park for our residents to recreate. It looks very nice. We’re in the first phase, there is a long way to go to be completely done, but I’m very impressed with what I see so far.?
Play began on soccer fields at the park this spring and flag football and travel soccer teams are expected to play on the fields this fall. In the winter, a sledding hill and skating rinks will be ready for use.
Waybrant has applied for a land and water conservation grant in the amount of $80,000 for a boundless playground, with activities for all children, regardless of ability. He should learn by July whether the township will receive the grant, but feels confident about the township’s chances. Next spring, he will apply for a DNR Trust Fund grant worth roughly $190,000 to fund trailways, a boardwalk, and pavilions.
The park is dependent upon donations for phase two, which will include baseball fields, more parking and a concession stand. Estimated cost of phase two is $400,000.
The park receives funding from cell tower revenue, but much of that will go to the $40,000 annual cost to maintain the park. Craig Sabo of Northern Pine Landscaping of Clarkston is providing maintenance, as the low bidder for the project.
‘When I became recreation director in 1999, they told me I’d be building a park and it has finally happened,? said Waybrant. ‘We’ve got a long way to go, no doubt.?
For information on the Build-a-Park Club fund or how to make a donation for the park, call 248-627-4640.