TOLEDO, Ohio — Anyone with kids who play sports knows that it can be expensive.
The fees, along with the cost of equipment, shoes and more can really add up.
And most parents want their children to stay active, just without a cost that breaks their budget.
"It's keeping kids that want to play from being able to play and I know in my own experience that I couldn't do it," said Scott Parker, a Point Place grandfather who is creating a new local sports league.
Parker, who is raising his three grandchildren, who are between the ages of 3 and 7, has created Point Place Sports League.
He is aiming to launch the league with baseball and softball next spring. And he is aiming to make the experience free.
He wants the league to be a non-profit group with the mission of keeping children active while removing the burden of high cost from their parents and guardians. And he is in the process of applying for grants and collecting donations to pay for it.
"We want to pay the cost," he said. "We don't want parents to have to worry about that."
Toledo's Department of Parks and Recreation is supporting Parker's efforts, but the director said the city also is working to create more low-cost opportunities for kids to play sports.
"Our department has worked very hard with lots of citizen-led efforts to increase recreation to overcome those barriers no matter what they are," said Joe Fausnaugh the Director of Toledo's department of Parks and Youth Services. "Any time we can provide more opportunity to get children involved in the outdoors in our green spaces it's something we want to try to support and facilitate if we can."
Parker plans to use Friendship Park for the sports league activities. After a spring season of baseball and softball he wants to organize a football program for the summer of 2024.
Parker said Point Place Sports has already begun receiving donations, including new football gear.
"Anybody that wants to donate or wants to bring their team or help fundraise just let me know we would love it and hopefully we can get the kids out here and playing," Parker said.
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