Excavation, shown here in mid-July, ended ahead of schedule at the Clark Township Recreation Park in Cedarville. Looking at the empty fields behind Clark Township Hall, members of the Clark Township Recreation Committee can envision children and teenagers playing softball and baseball while their fans cheer from the stands. They see a community gathering place in the former farm pasture, complete with a skating rink, horseshoe pits, and a facility where local charities can operate concessions. Families have picnics under a pavilion, with volleyball courts nearby and other recreational amenities in a central location, with high visibility and easy access from M-134.

"We don't want people to see just ball fields out there," said Recreation Committee Chairman Darrell Hill. "We're really trying to project the park as a place for community gathering and things like family reunions, with walking trails for people who want to exercise. It's going to be more than just a sports complex."

Excavation to lay the groundwork for two new ball diamonds is now complete, and one diamond should be ready for play this fall.

Cedarville contractor Mike McMaken and other volunteers will donate construction and materials for a 30-foot by 40-foot picnic pavilion to be built this fall, and a water system and parking lot with driveway access from Blind Line Road is also scheduled for this fall.

These are the first steps in building the new park, and other facilities will follow as money comes in.

To help, a raffle for a $500 gas card is underway and tickets are being sold at Cedar Pantry, Cedarville Shell, Dan's Barbershop, and Hill's Used Cars in Cedarville. Tickets are $1 each, and the drawing will be Labor Day weekend.

Plans for 2007 include tennis, volleyball, and basketball court construction, restrooms, and finishing the second ball diamond. Mr. Hill said Clark Township has at least six softball and baseball leagues that plan to use the fields.

Facilities planned for the more distant future include a multipleuse, covered ice rink that can be rented for receptions and activities during the warmer months, a concession booth, security lights, paved parking, and landscaping.

"People want things going on and they want activities here," said Steve Autore, committee vice-chair, explaining the impetus behind creating a sort of "one-stop" recreation field where several activities could be taking place at the same time.

The recreation park design was guided by the facilities residents said they wanted in interviews and public hearings before the first Clark Township Recreation Plan was drafted. That plan has been updated every five years, and the public also had an opportunity to comment on the park's design and layout at public hearings last year.

Taking community suggestions, the recreation committee revised the plans for user convenience and, most recently decided to create a separate entrance and parking lot for the park.

The new design solves a safety concern some had with children having to cross a parking lot to get to the fields.

The new entrance is south of the Clark Township Hall entrance, and the parking area will be separate from the township hall parking.

Mr. Hill said the recreation committee wants the community to remain involved with the project and is seeking assistance with

maintenance and funding ideas. The Cedarville Trojan Booster Club and Les Cheneaux Lions Club are assisting the Recreation Committee with park development. Mr. Hill said several individuals have either offered to maintain or build some of the facilities at the park.

"We're going to work with the community and work with the township to keep up a nice facility there," he said.

Other committee members are Gene Collins, Linda Hudson, Dan Izzard, Dana Leach, Linda Sherlund, P.J. Smith, and Michelle Walk.

Donations can be made at Clark Township Hall weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or in the drop box next to the hall entrance.