Grosse Ile Recreation: Much planned for spring and summer

Summer is just around the corner and your Grosse Ile Recreation Department has developed a great menu of events and programs for our Residents for this spring and summer.

For 2023, the Grosse Ile Recreation Department is happy to announce a new partnership with the Grosse Ile Grand Publication and all recreation events and programs will now be publicized in the monthly newspaper.

This monthly publication is delivered to each Grosse Ile home allowing you to have a recurring reminder of the numerous Recreation offerings throughout the year. So, look for this valuable information starting this Spring!

During this winter, the Grosse Ile Recreation Department saw great participation from residents in its Evening with Santa, Elf Workshop, Kids Dances, Santa’s Mailbox and Daddy Daughter Dance events. Thank you all for attending and many smiles were had by all participants.

Residents should mark their calendars for the following upcoming events:

~ Mother & Son Bowling night - Friday, February, 24, 2023 from 6:30-8 p.m. Annual

~ Easter Event - Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Centennial Farm

~ 1st/2nd grade basketball Program - April 12May 3 from 7:10-8 p.m. at Parke Lane

~ Sign Language class for grades 3-5 - April 19May 24 from 3:15-4 p.m. at Meridian School

~ St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon - March 15 at 12:30 p.m.

~ Back by popular demand will be the annual Cinco de Mayo Senior Party- Details to follow at a later date.

~ Summer 2023 - Evening pool movies events and Christmas in July (currently being planned/details to follow).

~ Let’s not forget...ISLANDFEST, June 2, 3, 4.

The Recreation Department offers numerous fitness classes currently ongoing and include the following:

~ Open Table Tennis -M-W-F from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

~ Island Walkers- M-F 6:45-7:45 a.m.

~ Jazzercise- M-W-F- 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Grosse Ile Recreation offers numerous senior events including the following:

~ Senior Chair Yoga

~ Full Body Fit

~ Flow Yoga

~ Cardio Drumming

~ Senior Citizens Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. at Centennial Farm, come join the Club!

Punch cards are now available for fitness classes for those that wish to participate in more than one of these events.

Grosse Ile Recreation offers Senior Transportation Services as well! Eligible individuals can call 734216- 4905 if you need a ride to the grocery, hair or doctors’ appointments. Rates are $5/round trip on island, $6/round trip off island.

The Grosse Ile Recreation Department manages a number of Township facilities including the Water’s Edge Pool, Golf Course, and Centennial Farm. The following are significant dates associated with these facilities:

~ January 1, 2023- Summer boat slip rental requests starting being accepted

~ June 15th -Water’s Edge Pool Opens (a Last Day of School pool party is currently being planned) Early Spring- Water’s Edge Golf Course opens (Carts will be available starting April 24th)

~ June 22nd - 1st Water’s Edge Summer Concert Events (continues on Thursday nights throughout the summer) com. All job descriptions can be found at www. grosseile.com under the Recreation Tab.

~ All summer long- Centennial Farm Recreation Building rentals are available for your special event.

To enroll in any of the above classes or for more information regarding the available programs listed above, please view https://www.grosseile.com/ government/community recreation/index.php - or 734- 675-2364.

The Recreation Department is currently looking for qualified individuals for seasonal and part-time employment.

The Department is currently accepting applications for the following seasonal positions: Summer Day Camp Director, Summer Day Camp Counselor, Pro-Shop Attendant, Golf Course Ranger, Certified Lifeguards, and Maintenance staff. If you are interested, please submit a township application to Kim O’Farrell at kofarrell@grosseile.

If you or someone you know would like to start a new program or have an event idea, the Recreation Department would love to hear about it. Recreation is currently building its summer program list and events calendar so please reach out with your idea. The Recreation Department would like to thank the Community Recreation Commission led by Chad Novak, Chairman, Ute O’Conner, Board Liaison, Stacy Damman, Vice-Chair, Wendy Kearney, Secretary, Ethel Yops, Keith Fusinski, Marisa Nicely, Kevin Naso and student liaison, Emma Batz, for all their hard work and dedication to our community.

A big thank you to our MS Builder’s Club and many of our community organizations, Gl Garden Club, Herb Society, Alliance for the Arts, Historical Society, GI Kiwanis, Rotary and Nature and Land Conservancy, for all they do to help and support the Recreation Department. A big thank you to Grosse Ile Schools for sharing space for programs and events. Last but not least thank you to all our volunteers out there, you know who you are!

Thank you all.......the Recreation Department couldn’t do it without you!

The Township’s Recreation Millage renewal will be on the ballot in August, and the Department hopes residents will get out and vote. Always remember... Parks and Recreation have three core values that make them essential services to the community:

Economic value, Health and Environment benefits, and Social importance.

Lots to look forward to, much to be thankful for. Grosse lle is a special place.

The Grosse lle Recreation Department looks forward to seeing everyone this summer. Follow us on Facebook/Instagram: Grosse Ile Recreation, and Islandfest.