Chelsea, Michigan, is in the midst of performing a major transformation of its largest park, and a public and private partnership is inviting the community to participate.
The initiative, which has been underway since 2022, has rallied pickleball enthusiasts, municipal authorities, trail construction volunteers, and local businesses to enhance Timbertown Park, situated off Sibley Road.
“Timbertown Reimagined”
Positioned approximately 15 miles west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea is the focal point of the “Timbertown Reimagined” project, which encompasses various enhancements.
These include the establishment of six new dedicated pickleball courts, the designation of the park as a trailhead for the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail, refurbishment of its aging wooden play structure, and restoration of a community art installation at Timbertown, among other improvements.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for the Chelsea area,” remarked Chelsea City Manager Marty Colburn in a statement. Collaborating with the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to financing trail development in the region, and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, the city is spearheading the initiative.
$175,000 Raised
A community launch event is scheduled to run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, at the Chelsea District Library‘s McKune Room, during which officials will outline the project, unveil new playground designs, and enlist residents for volunteer roles. With $175,000 raised by Chelsea Pickleball, groundwork has commenced for the construction of the six new courts, with surface installation and court markings anticipated in the coming months.
These facilities are projected to open by mid to late spring, according to Shawn Personke, Chair of the City Parks and Recreation Commission. Further upgrades are planned to position Timbertown as a pivotal trailhead for the B2B Trail, which traverses the park as part of its county-wide route.
According to Jeff Hardcastle, the founder and former board chair of the nonprofit, the initiative to enhance the park originated when trail planners and the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative explored the prospect of establishing a trailhead in the Chelsea vicinity.
Revitalizing And Modernizing The Park
Concurrently, the City Parks and Recreation Commission have put their heads together to to come up with strategies to revitalize and modernize the park.
“By investing in this project, we are investing in the longevity of our robust parks system, which greatly benefits members of Chelsea and surrounding communities,” stated Joanne Rau, president and CEO of Chelsea State Bank, emphasizing its commitment to match community donations.
Rau also expressed the bank’s intent to mobilize its staff to participate in the project. “We anticipate requiring approximately 500 volunteers throughout the build week to assist with painting, staining, sanding, and construction tasks. We urge the entire community to contribute in some capacity.”
Chelsea Pickleball
Chelsea Pickleball is part of a community-wide effort to upgrade and Reimagine TimberTown Park. Chelsea Pickleball has raised over $175,000 to build six permanent courts at TimberTown that will be open to the entire community to learn, play, and socialize.
Spring 2024 will see the courts completed and play will begin!
Donations are processed by Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that facilitates trail development and use in Washtenaw County. Raised funds will be held in a restricted account to be given to the City via a MOU (Memo of Understanding) to build pickleball courts.
The Chelsea pickleball community is growing rapidly — membership has tripled in the past year. Jeff Daniels has even written a play about it. Because of Pickleball’s appeal, the demand for courts has outgrown the space at the WSEC gym and the temporary courts at the old Pierce Lake Elementary.
