Caledonia Parks: Alive and Well

After nearly five years of struggle, the Caledonia Parks are alive and well.  In the 2010 budget year, the Caledonia Board of Trustees voted to defund the Parks and Recreation Department.  The budget, which was at the time about $50,000 was cut to zero.  The loss of funding meant the loss of a Park Director and four part-time employees.  Buildings  were not maintained, as well as the grounds themselves.  Programs for the community were virtually eliminated.

Since that vote to defund, the Park Commision, led by John Lieber (2010-2012) and Scott Warner (2012-present), came up with creative ways to reduce costs and have encouraged the Village Board to restore funding from zero, to the proposed 2014 budget of $61,000.00.

To accomplish this, it meant creative thinking.  For the past 3 years, the parks have been mowed at far below market value by a private firm, and for the past year and a half, this firm took over all of the day-to-day operations to help keep the parks open with very limited public funds.

Major improvements were made to Crawford Park with the addition of a Concession building with new restrooms, a new paved parking lot, and plans for future expansion.  This park for the better part of the summer, serves as home to Caledonia Ball youth baseball and girls softball programs, a privately funded organization.  There are over 400 Caledonia children involved in these programs and it is the largest youth recreation program in Caledonia.  It should be noted that Caledonia Ball contributed about $15,000 to upgrade the diamonds.

Gorney Park is currently undergoing a make over as well.  The Shelters have been repaired and painted, as well as future plans to restore the baseball diamonds and adding new walking trails.

The Nicholson Wildlife Refuge, located on Five Mile Rds, as undergone changes as well.  Nearly forgotten the past five years, the park now has groomed and maintained trails, a new 750+ boardwalk is now being installed thanks to a grant written by Melissa Warner and a host of volunteers, and future plans for a wildlife observation area, restroom facilities, picnic shelter and teaching center are being shored up.

Linwood Park houses the Caledonia Historical Society buildings and Maple and Chapla Parks are in the upgrade plans as well.

I bring this news to you because it takes vigillance from our citizens and local companies to make sure these plans continue and that our Village Board votes to fund it.  Nothing is guaranteed in life.  I see our parks being enjoyed by our citizens on a day-to-day basis.  From fishing at Gorney, to baseball at Crawford; from a nature walk at the Preserve, to beautiful views of Lake Michigan at Chapla, Caledonia has one of the best park systems in our area.  Let's make sure it stays that way...