Organizers: Free GR sled libraries depleted as sleds disappear
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — After offering the Grand Rapids community free sleds to borrow, project organizers say “nearly all” of the sleds have disappeared.
Self-serve sled libraries are available 24/7 this winter at Richmond Park, Mulick Park and Plaster Creek Park.
“Walk up and grab a free sled anytime snow conditions are right,” wrote GR Outside, a division of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, on its website. “Just be sure to return the sled to the station when you are done using the hill so that others can enjoy it too.”
No sled? No problem, borrow from free gear library
Now, the sled libraries have been depleted. Organizers say most of the sleds that were meant to remain in the parks have been taken.
“Our team hesitated to announce the loss of these sleds because our goal is not to spread shame or guilt,” GR Outside wrote Tuesday in a Facebook post. “Ultimately, we felt it was fair to tell our community the truth about how this project went.”
Organizers say they have tried to restock the libraries, but the sleds have been disappearing too quickly. The sled stations will remain open for the rest of the season, but GR Outside will no longer be adding sleds — although anyone is welcome to donate.
The program says you can still check out plenty of winter gear, from sleds to snowshoes, from its gear library in Roosevelt Park. You can learn more about GR Outside at grandrapidsmi.gov.
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