MML November/December 2022 Review Magazine

MUNICIPAL OUTDOOR RECREATION PROJECTS COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING

Experience that defines capability Three Rivers Youth Sports Complex Our project is an 80-acre youth sports complex that was born from a community visioning session and has morphed into a recreational hub for a variety of interests. It was completed through a partnership between the City of Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, and a local 501c3 (River Country Sports Commission) formed by parents to represent Little League Baseball, AYSO Soccer, and Rocket Football. St. Joseph County provided an initial $2.8 million dollars donation toward the park and the city and volunteers raised another $2,047,250 million dollars through a fund-raising campaign to build and maintain the park. The city has an agreement with the sports commission that they operate the park during the playing seasons and take care of maintenance costs during that portion of the year. The city maintains ownership of the park and is responsible for the buildout and long-term maintenance.

Community Impact: The sports complex original plan left space open for other amenities to be added as time and money allowed. Four projects came up almost immediately with funding from local citizens and businesses. A kid’s playground, two pickleball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course and a paved 1-mile-long walking path around the perimeter. These attractions have opened up the area to all age groups to come and enjoy an activity or just being outside for a walk. This has made the park an activity hub for a much broader range of people with specialized interests that we didn’t anticipate. There is still room for more sports fields or activities to be added as donors want to come forward. The park is serving the interests of a diverse group of citizens and making it a true gathering place for people of all walks of life.

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10 THE REVIEW

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022