By CHRISTIE BLECK
April 11, 2011
From Ingham County Community News
MASON - Jim Maddix looked at the dozens of volunteers who showed up on April 2 to clean up Rayner Park as it opened for the season.
"This is just nothing but amazing to me," Maddix said.
Maddix has been spearheading clean-up efforts for Rayner, located at 730 E. Ash St.
Last year the city entered into an agreement with Ingham County in which the city will pay $1 per year through Dec. 31, 2016 to lease the park. After meeting agreement terms, the city has the rights to buy the park, which had been closed by the county because of budget reasons, for $1.
However, it has been estimated it costs about $43,000 annually to maintain the park. Last November, residents passed an advisory vote favoring the City Council increase the city's general operating millage by up to 0.5 mills for fiscal year beginning July 1 to raise funds for the entire municipal park system.
Making it their own
In the meantime, volunteers have been pitching in by providing manual labor to spruce up the beloved park, which includes a castle-like play structure, a native woodland garden, basketball courts and picnic areas, among other amenities.
Maddix said residents who volunteered on April 2 to rake, gather leaves and perform other tasks are taking ownership of the park.
"This is their park," Maddix said. "They want it to be theirs."
Michelle Cordano showed up with her son Nicolas, 4, to help out.
"It's a beautiful park, great playground," Michelle said.
She also was thinking of the future.
"We want it to stay nice and clean for generations," Michelle said.
Barbara Spottek, who worked along with her husband Randy, said she has been coming to Rayner for years.
"It belongs to the community now," she said. "We have to take care of it."
Eight-year-old Julia Swan also said she enjoys Rayner.
"I really like, pretty much, the swings," Julia said.
Boy Scout Troop 141 and Girl Scout Troop 335 pitched in, and Gordon Schleicher said area Kiwanians and Aktion Club members (adults with disabilities) were there to lend a hand as well.
Schleicher said he too was happy to see the big turnout.
"It's a park the community loves," he said.
Maddix said clean-up efforts will be ongoing. Anyone who wants to get involved can email him at Papamaddix@aol.com or visit the Facebook page, Rayner Park Volunteers.
However, Maddix appears to be already impressed with the way the community has gotten involved, especially one teen who asked him if age 14 was old enough to help.
It was.
"I'm in awe of the people of Mason," Maddix said.
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