New Nonprofit Seeks To Enhance Lacey’s Parks and Beaches

A new nonprofit organization may be coming to Lacey Township.

Lanoka Harbor resident Patricia Doyle is working in cooperation with Recreation Director James Wioland to kick-start Friends of Lacey Parks and Beaches.

“It’s nice that people want to step up and help out,” Wioland said.

The organization would be driven by citizens who want to preserve, protect, and enhance Lacey’s parks and beaches.

Although only in the initial stages, the idea for the organization originated when Doyle saw the needs of a beach located near her home on Beach Boulevard. Doyle decided to expand her idea so that it would benefit the whole township, she said.

With no room in the township’s municipal budget for any extras and Mayor Gary Quinn prompting residents to share money-saving ideas, Doyle saw an opportunity to step up as a citizen.

“We want to pitch in as citizens,” she said.

‘Friends of’ organizations have the ability to bring in grant money that municipalities do not have access to, Doyle said. That money would go towards the parks and beaches.

“I think it would be a great opportunity for the township to have dedicated citizens who go after grants,” Wioland said.

Continue to follow Lacey Patch as the development of this group progresses.