Free Sled Library initiative expands at Leila Arboretum for more "access to fun"

BATTLE CREEK — Jeremy Andrews firmly believes that everybody should have access to fun.

With the help of a few community partners, Andrews made that a reality last year with the installation of a Free Sled Library, where patrons "borrow a sled, leave a sled" at Leila Arboretum.

A second Free Sled Library will be installed at the 72-acre park next week, allowing for storage of more sleds — and more opportunities for people to hit the slopes.

"We’re always looking for donations," Andrews said. "You never know in Michigan or in this weather here, whether we’re going to have a really snowy weekend or whether it’s all going to melt and it seems like it comes and it goes and people get out on the hills and start thrashing around and some sleds get broken."

Andrews is currently accepting donations for the free sled library through Venmo @penetratorevents. Those who wish to make a donation but don't have Venmo are urged to send a message to the Penetrator Events Facebook page.

Sled donations are also accepted, Andrews said. Individuals can simply drop off sleds at the existing free sled library at the arboretum — Andrews encourages sled donors to write "please return to sled library" in marker on the inside of each donated sled — or contact Penetrator Events to coordinate an alternate drop-off/pickup.

Andrews was introduced to the idea of a sled library last year while enjoying a winter vacation with his wife, Erin.

The couple had just finished rafting along the Sturgeon River when they stumbled upon a unique feature at a local park: a shed with numerous sleds pouring out of it, the words "Sled Library" plastered on the side.

Andrews, founder of Penetrator Events, felt compelled to bring the idea back to his hometown. Putting a call out to friends on social media in February 2022, he soon received hundreds of dollars in donations.

"I don’t ever do anything on my own. There's always lots of community members and lots of partners," Andrews said. "I believe it takes a village to do awesome things and that’s what I’m all about."

Heidi LaGrow, a graphic communications technology instructor at Calhoun Area Career Center, was one of the first people to offer Andrews a helping hand with the project after reading his post on Facebook.

"I thought it was absolutely awesome and a great community event," LaGrow said told the Enquirer last year. "I reached out to (Jeremy) and asked if he had any signage that needed to be done or anything that possibly could be donated by the career center."

LaGrow's students ultimately designed signage for the project. Kyle Burnett, owner of RB Christian Ironworks, also joined in the effort, designing a "corral" where sleds could be stored. The project served as a great learning experience for some of Burnett's employees new to fabrication, he said.

LaGrow also connected Andrews with Calhoun Area Career Center's construction students, who built a second corral for sleds. That corral will be installed at Leila Arboretum on Feb. 10.

Andrews estimates he's put about 60 to 70 sleds on the slopes in the last year and a half, with more than $1,000 raised in support of the initiative.

"If I can help kids continue to be kids and just have a good time on a hill in their neighborhood, awesome," Andrews said. "That makes me feel good. But also it feels like it’s my job as somebody from an older generation to make sure that younger people have opportunities to have fun and laugh and be silly and play.

"It’s just all about fun and bringing fun. ... Everybody should have access to fun."

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Free Sled Library initiative expands at Leila Arboretum for more "access to fun"