10/18/2024
Good Afternoon,
Our long awaited project has drawn to a close. I would like to send out some acknowledgements to some great people who worked on this project.
I would first like to express my gratitude to The Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage along with all our Ingham County Commissioners. Without your support this project would still be a wish. Through your support, blessing and the financial backing of such a valuable resource through the County Trails and Parks Millage, we were able to add so many great additions to Baldwin Park. I hope that communities like ours within Ingham County remember the importance of millages like these when it comes time to vote. Again, I cannot express enough how much this has meant to our community. Thank you to Tim Morgan and Natalie Trotter from the Ingham County Parks Department. They both offered their guidance and support and at times a little hand holding as we navigated the grant process. Ingham County Parks is so very lucky to have both of these individuals on their team.
Thank You to the tremendous team of partners who made this vision a reality. BOSS Engineering, specifically Patrick Cleary for your patience, expertise, oversight and guidance that dates all the way back to 2016 when we first started exploring the idea for improvements. Our time and partnership together has been instrumental over the years. Thank you to Laux Construction for their professionalism and dedication to our project. I would recommend Laux Construction time and time again. Not only did they do an amazing job, but they were so easy to work with. I would also like to recognize and give a shout out to Art and Mick from Laux for their attention to details and jobsite oversight. They were awesome to work with. Thank you to Levitt and Stark, McKearney Asphalt, Camp and Cruise and to the landscapers from Riverrock Property Management, LLC, everyone did an amazing job.
Lastly, I want to thank our Park Board. Russ Bodell, Jason Church, Pat Clone and Matt DeShais graciously put up with me throughout this whole project. Some may already know, that is a monumental task to begin with. While construction was taking place, we had our own projects we were working on for park improvements. They volunteer so much of their time along with me to this park and without them, this park would not be what it is today. They each volunteer and offer their experience, time, equipment and tools to make Baldwin Park something our community can be proud of. I can’t say enough about each and every one of them and I am so very thankful to have them on my team. Be sure to extend your thanks to them!
I encourage you to visit and walk around and check out the additions from this project. The addition of the new ADA accessible bridge, the landscaping, the new accessible drive and the kayak launch, and the North and South Weir Walls. As this year comes to a close, we will look forward to Baldwin Park coming to life next Spring with the grass growing back, the plants coming to life, seeing the Kayak launch in full use, and watching everyone take pictures on the bridge for life’s celebrations. We truly have been blessed and we will continue to make sure Baldwin Park is a place for everyone to enjoy for future generations to come. Baldwin Park is open free of charge 365 days a year. We only charge for the pavilion to be reserved and restrooms get shut down during the colder months. Families irregardless of financial background can enjoy this park year round, and now with these additions, individuals with disabilities can also enjoy all that Baldwin Park has to offer.
Our future plans are to sit down as a Park Board and discuss further projects we would like to see at Baldwin Park. A new accessible playground and riverview gazebo just to name a few wish list items. So stay tuned!
Again, thank you to everyone! You all helped shape a piece of Onondaga History.
Rhiannon Schindewolf-DeShais
Onondaga Township Park Board Chair
