Volunteers are cleaning up thanks to a new mobile tool trailer that provides all the small tools anyone would need to beautify parks and land preserves in Meridian Township.
The Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Department purchased the new 7- by 16-foot enclosed trailer through a $6,500 grant from the Community Foundation. The trailer is filled with equipment that includes shovels, rakes, brooms, wheelbarrows, bags and gloves for use during volunteer cleanup and stewardship efforts at one of the 49 parks and land preserves. Township staff drop off and pick up the trailer on request for the ease and convenience of volunteer groups.
"It's been our culture in Meridian Township to support the environment," says LuAnn Maisner, township parks and recreation director. "We have a long history of supporting high quality of life and environmental conservation. It's a priority."
Maisner says the township has about 800 acres of land preserves, 900 acres of parks, and 80 miles of bike and pedestrian pathways. The department facilitates numerous volunteer events through the year that include school children, seniors, MSU students, church and service groups.
In 2016, 453 volunteers committed 5,413 hours over the spring and summer to pull out weeds and invasive species, improve and maintain natural paths, spread mulch, plant flowers and make sure parks and land preserves are in good shape. Maisner says the estimated value of donated hours amounts to more than $127,530.
"We are so fortunate to have such a great community that wants to be engaged," says Maisner. "We try to make things as simple as possible to get involved, and this tool trailer is just another step toward that."
Source: LuAnn Maisner, Director, Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Director
Writer/Editor: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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