One of the key focuses for Delhi Township is to provide a sense of community, not only for the existing township residents, but also to visitors, prospective business partners, and future residents alike. Perhaps no one understands this more than Delhi Parks and Recreation.
While the housing, schools, and businesses of the community are all important, the outdoor spaces are also a key component of what makes a community feel like home; somewhere people can live and play.
Delhi Parks and Recreation is always striving to improve and enhance the outdoor experience when visiting Delhi Township.
“No township wants to…not progress,” says Troy Stowell, Delhi Parks and Recreation Director. “Placemaking…is about creating that sense of home, where people really want to live and work and play.”
And with this spirit of play in mind, Parks and Recreation is constantly adding new things to the Delhi experience. This year alone they will renovate the tennis and pickleball courts at Kiwanis Park. There will be six brand new tennis courts and six pickleball courts. This construction is embracing the latest pickleball trend sweeping the United States right now as the fastest growing sport in the country.
These renovations will be complete by the end of July or first part of August. These changes will accompany the latest launch of a kayak rental station at Esker Landing which happened earlier this spring.
“We want to be the first to have all these new trends and amenities in the township to continue to grow,” Stowell says.
Other updates or additions on the horizon include a new playscape at Kiwanis Park which will embrace the more natural feeling of the park, as well as additions to Delhi’s trail system for walkers, runners, and bikers.
With all these changes and future plans, Stowell and other Delhi leaders hope to continue to make Delhi Township a great place to live, work, and play. But they also hope to attract outside visitors and businesses to the area by making Delhi Township not only a fun destination to visit, but a place worth calling home.
Kayak rentals available at Esker Landing
Just in time for summer, kayak rentals are now available at the Esker Landing launch on Cedar Lake! Patrons can rent everything from kayaks, paddles, and personal flotation devices. This is a great opportunity for those looking to enjoy a kayak excursion without having to buy all the equipment.
“It’s an amazing opportunity…[at] Esker Landing,” says Troy Stowell, Delhi Parks and Recreation Director. “Every single weekend it’s getting rented out.” Delhi is only the second township in Michigan to add a kayak locker to its recreational areas.
The kayak rental station is self-serve and easy to access with nothing more than a cell phone. Here’s how it works:
- Download the mobile app called @The.Real.Rent.Fun;
- Scan the QR code located on the kayak locker;
- Enter a credit card to pay the rental fee; and
- Sign the digital waiver through the app.
Rental fees are $20 for every two hour block. Patrons are charged for the duration of their trip. Currently the kayak station has four kayaks available for rent, and according to Stowell, the Delhi Parks and Recreation hopes to add more next year.
Residents and visitors alike are welcome to continue to use their own kayaks and other outdoor gear at the launch; the kayak rental station allows those without their own gear to enjoy time out on Cedar Lake as well!