The City of Marysville has received a $10,000 grant to host a water education day at Aldersgate Park.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has given the grant to the city to promote outdoor activities.
In a letter describing the grant, Lindsay Fetherolf, recreation, aquatic and event coordinator for the City of Marysville, said it “serves as a way to help communities facilitate events that will include an aquatic education learning experience.”
Under the grant guidelines, the program must include an opportunity for participants to have a hands-on fishing experience.
Fetherolf explained the city will use the money to buy kayaks, life jackets, paddles and food for the event.
The event will be held at the city’s Aldersgate Park. Officials said they are trying to work with local football schedules to find an autumn date that works for as many people as possible.
Amanda Morris, city recreation and events manager, said the city’s Passport to Fishing program has been very successful.
“The thing we consistently hear from those people it that they would like to see more of these types of events — outdoor recreation or outdoor adventure,” Morris said. “We wanted to give it a try.”
She said the Passport to Fishing program is geared for children in elementary school. She said the kayaking event will be geared to participants in the 13-19 age range.
Morris said the city will use the grant money to purchase the equipment, which will become the city’s. She said she envisions a time when there could be kayak drops along Mill Creek as well as monthly opportunities for the public to use kayaks around the city. Officials said they eventually see a time when the kayaks could be used on the reservoir.
“We hear the comments that more people would like to use these. We have ultimate goals about how we would like to see the program, but we aren’t there yet,” Morris said. “Right now, we are working out the details of this first experience.”
Morris said the event will likely be capped at 50 participants, “that way we can small group everyone and we can be sure to have enough volunteers.”
Once details of the event are decided, Morris said a digital sign-up sheet will be created.
There will be stations where participants can kayak, fish and practice archery.
Fetherolf applied for the grant in December. She said the city is not expected to match the grant or spend a certain amount on the event.
Morris said that given the nature of the program, the water at Aldersgtate Park makes sense.
“It’s a little safer,” she said. “If you have someone, and this is their first time in a kayak, we just felt this is a better option.”
She said it is easier for kayakers, instructors and responders to get into the water at Aldersgate than the reservoir or other spots in the city.
“Aldersgate gives us a better chance to make sure everybody has a safe and enjoyable time and that they are able to learn something,” Morris said.
After the event, she said, the kayaks will be available for the public to use.
Council member Henk Berbee said he is “always amazed” at how resourceful Morris and city staff can be in finding opportunities for programming.