Village receives $34,000 for Chi Bro Park improvements & summer programs
Playing on the fire engine play structure in Chi Bro Park.
The Village of Manchester announced last week that it has been chosen to be part of a Pilot program along with the four other nearby communities, to increase physical activity in our community by improving a park and implementing programs to engage community members in physical fitness in the park. The grant comes from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through the Michigan Recreation and Park Association. Village manager Jeff Wallace stated, “One of the goals is to get people to visit our parks and realize the health benefits of using them.”
The Village of Manchester is receiving $24,000 for improvements to our park and trail system. According to Wallace, the village had to choose one park area for the improvements and program and selected Chi-Bro. The improvements include new mulch under the play equipment, a deck to be installed off of the trail overlooking the mill pond, bollards and signs for the trail, installation of basketball hoops at Chi-Bro, and few other minor improvements.
In addition, the village is receiving $10,000 to operate two summer programs to be held in Chi Bro Park, the “Come out and Play” Program for youth and the “Walk with Ease” Program, geared to adults. In addition, all of the training, lesson programs, and material to run the programs is being provided by Michigan Recreation and Parks Association.
“Come Out and Play” is a program for youth, ages 6-12, designed specifically to promote physical activity in parks and on trails. The program invites youth outside to be active, get fit and healthy, and to have FUN! This program also hopes to educate children about nature and what Manchester’s parks and trails have to offer to them and their families. In Manchester, this is going to be a 5-week program, an hour a day, Monday-Thursday, starting at 10 am, at Chi-Bro Park beginning Tuesday, June 21st. The program, which is free to participants, will be supervised by Shelby Chartrand, a teacher at the Manchester Co-op Preschool. Chartrand stated, “We are hoping to get as may kids to the park each day as we can. It is going to be a blast!!”
All children are encouraged to participate. Although the program is designed for 6 to 12 year olds, organizers have extended it to allow 4 and 5 year olds as well. Registration is not required; this is a drop-in program, but if you are interested in having your child participate, download and fill out this form: ComeOutAndPlay and return it by email to chartrand.sa@gmail.com or call (734) 915-5417, so organizers have a rough idea of how many children to expect. Upon arrival parents will need to sign in, fill out emergency information (contact info), and agree to pick up on time. Children enrolled in the summer programs held at the Co-op Preschool and at Klager Elementary will be walking to Chi Bro and participating as well.
The walking with ease program was developed by the Arthritis Foundation but is not only for those with arthritis. According to Chartrand, organizers are “hoping to get people out and about, walking in groups, and providing social support, motivation, reinforcement, and assistance with problem solving to help members become and stay active in an exercise program.”
“Walking does so much for us,” she adds. “It nourishes our joints, burns calories, reduces stress, improves your mood, and so much more.”
These sessions will begin on Tuesday June 21st from 9 – 10am and will run every Tuesday and Thursday until August 18th in Chi Bro Park. Interested participates are asked to email Chartrand at chartrand.sa@gmail.com or call her at (734) 915-5417 but this is not mandatory to participate. For more information download this: WWE. Chartrand stated, “The information that will be covering during each session is research-based and fun! It’s all about organizing a group of people wanting to work toward new goals and their best self!”
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