New outdoor pickleball courts are headed to Benton Harbor, as the St. Joseph Charter Township board of trustees on Monday approved resolutions to accept two $50,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants for renovations at Carronde Park, 2650-2698 Riverbend Dr., Benton Harbor, and Kedzie Park, 3480 Kedzie St., St Joseph.
The Carronde park improvements will include an upgrade to one of the tennis courts, as well as the installation of two pickleball courts. The Kedzie Park project will involve renovations to the playground.
“It’s part of the township’s ongoing commitment to maintaining good parks and recreation,” said Trustee Melissa Hahn, adding the funding has taken about two years to secure.
Township Manager Denise Cook said the township originally applied for a grant through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, while Treasurer Dave Vonk said there have been other delays.
“The virus messed us up,” Vonk said. “We have a big development at the Maiden Lane Park … a huge playground piece of equipment that was backed up a whole year because of the virus. So that put us behind in all the other grants we had applied for.”
Board members also mentioned that the annual National Night Out is taking place tonight, Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 at Maiden Lane Park. The event will include St. Joseph Township, St. Joseph city, and Lincoln Township police and fire agencies. Programs will include a Jaws of Life demonstration, a Med Flight landing, police and fire vehicles, and local emergency response equipment. Hot dogs, chips, soda and ice cream also will be provided.
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
