GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Since December of 2023, GR Outside's Sled Libraries have been a new way of providing a way for kids to be able to enjoy sledding, without having to worry if they can afford a sled.
GR Outside placed free sled libraries at Richmond, Mulick and Plaster Creek Parks, which all saw many kids and families coming out to enjoy the sledding hills.
But organizers recently found the libraries empty.
"We expected some to go missing, we expected some to get broken," said Sam Truby, the GR Outside Supervisor for Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation.
Truby says 15 sleds were originally stocked at each location.
"We restocked each station a couple of times, added another five or seven sleds, and eventually they were just fully depleted, and we were out to sleds," said Truby.
While his team was disheartened, he says they also knew how much joy the sleds have brought to kids in the city, which helped them to make their decision.
"Our team decided to stop stocking the stations, but we're leaving the stations in the park," Truby said, leaving it now up to community members to also help maintain the libraries, by donating sleds they may not need or use.
"If you have a sled that you want to donate, it'll go to good use at these hills," he said.
Truby also adds that his team has received a large amount of support from community members, and messages asking about how people can help.
"Sledding is a staple of what we want to do and offer the community, and so one way or another, we're going to find a way to get resources in kids hands so kids can go have fun, regardless of if their family can afford a sled."
The program is funded by the dedicated parks mileage passed by voters in 2019, as Truby also encourages community members to visit GR Outside's home base at Roosevelt Park, which is hosts a gear library, having outdoor equipment, winter clothing, additional sleds, and snow shoes that can all be checked out.
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