Brandon Twp.- Construction workers took advantage of unseasonably warm temperatures last week to work on the township park at the corner of Oakwood and Hadley roads.
‘We’re behind on construction, but will be caught up in the spring,? said Brandon Recreation Director Fred Waybrant, as he surveyed the land-balancing crew from Roger Engels Construction working under sunny skies. ‘The park will be open to the public next fall.?
Work began the second week of October, but weather has delayed seeding of the multi-purpose fields that soccer will be played on next year.
However, nearly all of the fencing is in, and the township was awarded a $3,000 grant Nov. 17 from the Department of Natural Resources for a tree library at the park. The park committee has also applied for a grant from DTE to replace trees on the 47-acre property that have died from Emerald Ash Borer, and expect to hear word any day regarding a $50,000 matching fund grant from the DNR for a playground structure that would include installation and park concession stands.
A grant is also being written to make the entire park accessible for citizens with disabilities. The $265,000 grant is provided through the Kellogg Foundation and would provide asphalt paths to everything in the park, as well as picnic tables and pavilions.
Waybrant is pleased with the progress at the park.
‘I’m happy to see it’s starting to take shape,? he said. ‘I’ll be real happy when I see a kid kicking a ball or throwing a ball.?
By this time next year, that will have happened.