Our Current Projects
- 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.
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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
- East China / Columbus
The waterways of St. Clair County will be made more accessible to people of all abilities through two canoe and kayak launches built through the Access to Recreation initiative. One launch will be in the East China Township Park along M-29 between St. Clair and Marine City. Another launch will be at the Columbus County Park northeast of Richmond. Both launches will open on the Belle River.
The launches also will be test sites for a unique docking system that will allow people with disabilities to independently launch canoes or kayaks.
The projects represent a partnership between the county Parks and Recreation Commission and the two townships.
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Click on any image to enlarge.
- Tree House
- Pine River Nature Center
A tree house in the center of the 90-acre Pine River Nature Center will be accessible to everyone, making it the only publicly owned, universally accessible tree house in Michigan. The approximately 600-square-foot tree house will be 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 is 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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Click on any image to enlarge.
Ways to Donate
Mail or drop off your gift
Make your check payable to "Community Foundation of St. Clair County" and indicate Access to Recreation on the memo line of your check. Mail your gift to or drop your gift off at this address:
- Access to Recreation
- Community Foundation of St. Clair County
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516 McMorran Blvd.
Port Huron, MI 48060 - (Find us on a map)
Donate Online
Online donations are processed by Paypal. A Paypal account is not needed to donate.
Additional Photos
Additional photos of the projects can be found at our flickr site.
Special Thanks
We would like to thank the various people/committee members who have helped with the overall project as of January 2008:
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