Access to Recreation

Extreme Pool Makeover

Algonac

The joy of being surrounded by cool water on a hot day will be a reality for people of all abilities at the community swimming pool in Algonac. The Access to Recreation initiative and its partners will install a ramp and lifts at the pool to allow its use by people using wheelchairs or those who have other mobility issues. The project also involves renovating the adjacent bathhouse to accommodate people with disabilities.

The pool project is spearheaded by the Downriver Recreation Commission, which is a partnership of the city of Algonac, Clay Township and Algonac Community Schools.

Click on any image to enlarge.

A note from Cindy Babisz of the Downriver Recreation Commission:

The downriver portion of St. Clair County is well known for its joint community ventures and projects. Once again, we invite you to participate with others in our community as we improve accessibility at the Algonac pool. We all are connected to the pool in one way or another: through swim teams, summer employment, the Algonac Lions Club, field trips by youth groups or just as individuals enjoying a refreshing swim. This project fits perfectly with the city's renovations of the entire Lions Field area for the pleasure of everyone, today and in the future.

Canoe & Kayak Launch

Fort Graiot / St. Clair

The waterways of St. Clair County have been made more accessible to people of all abilities through two canoe and kayak launches built through the Access to Recreation initiative. One launch is located off of North River Road in Fort Gratiot. Another launch is located at the Boat Harbor in St. Clair.

The St. Clair launch is a test site for a unique docking system that will allow people with disabilities to independently launch canoes or kayaks.

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Tree House

Pine River Nature Center

Our tree house in the center of the 90-acre Pine River Nature Center is accessible to everyone, making it the only publicly owned, universally accessible tree house in Michigan. The approximately 600-square-foot tree house is built off a slope at the nature center, giving visitors a bird's-eye view of the forest and wetlands near the Pine River.

The tree house can be reached from a handicapped accessible woodland trail, making the experience available to children and adults of all ages and abilities. This project was designed to bring a sense of wonder and inspiration to visitors, and provide a destination point for the public to learn about and enjoy nature. The nature center is owned and operated for public benefit by the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA).

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Executive Committee Members

Lynn Borg

 - Vice President, Community Foundation of St. Clair County,

Cindy Babisz

 - Director, Downriver Recreation Commission,

Mark Brochu

 - Director, St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission,

Garth Kriewall

 - Communications Supervisor, Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA),

Randy Maiers

 - President and CEO, Community Foundation of St. Clair County,

Gigi Mericka

 - Program Manager, Access to Recreation - St. Clair County

Access to Recreation Planning Committee

Dan Lockwood

 - St. Clair Downtown Development Authority,

Bea Castillo

 - Arc of St. Clair County,

Karen Massoro-Mundt, Jennifer McFadden, Laura Steele and Angela Hoff

 - Blue Water Center for Independent Living,

Ann Shaw

 - Marysville Recreation,

Nancy Winzer

 - Port Huron Recreation,

Dean Ernsberger and Mary K. Weber

 - St. Clair County Community Mental Health,

Kristin Jurs and Sheri Faust

 - St. Clair County Health Department,

Steve Pondo

 - Algonac State Park,

Liane Allen

 - Adopt a Stream

Algonac Pool

Lisa Edwards,

Beth Engel

 - Algonac City Manager,

Chris Wilson

 - The Blue Water Center for Independent Living Access Team,

Gary Baker

 - The Arc,

Algonac Clay Community Board,

Tom Watkins, Eric Mueller, John Randolph and Sandra Smith

 - East China Township

Canoe and Kayak Launch

Pam Blough

 - Landscape Architect,

John Brothers

 - East China Township Park,

St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission,

Columbus County Park Advisory Committee

Treehouse

Dan Degrow,

Charlie Andrews,

Jan Fredericks, Carrie Kloka and Sarah Nelson

 - Pine River Nature Center,

French and Associates,

James Bartley