MARA to the 21st Century Capital Funding Goal

The MARA Executive Board has identified several capital projects that are transformational in the park’s need to move into the 21st century.  The following are a few of the key projects that meet the MARA to the 21st Century Goal:

• Lighting/electrical system infrastructure upgrade - This consists of rewiring of the whole park, replacing outdated lights/poles, adding lights and poles to unlit fields and upgrading electrical panels and replacing all existing lights with LEDs.  The desire is to reduce the cost of maintenance and operation of lighting the park and to make the park more accessible during night and evening hours
• Renovation of all fields and pathways - focusing on improving drainage, improving and upgrading some fields with artificial turf 
• Upgrade batting cages – improve drainage, add artificial turf, fix broken fences/enclosures, and add lighting
• Parking lot improvements – Grade parking lots, improve parking lot flow, add barriers, and address lighting issues
• Field and park access improvements - Fix broken pavement, pave gravel pathways, adding additional field signage, and improving access to certain fields for our elderly and special needs visitors 
• Beautification of the park by adding flowers/bushes, trimming trees, and brush/debris clean up

In order to accomplish these projects, we are asking our members to donate and contribute to the MARA to the 21st Century Goal.   This is a multimillion-dollar list of projects and the park’s future depends on your continued generosity.   Any amount will assist with this initiative. 

We are also asking for your assistance in several ways.

1.  Bring you expertise’s to the table, to assist with accomplishing these goals.   If you have or know of someone who has experience with raising large sum of capital or someone who has experience writing grants, we would be glad to have a conversation with.

2.  Spread the word to members, families and potential donors.

If you have questions or concerns feel free to contact me.

Hazel Williams
President
Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association