Friends of Madison Park Launches Sporting Goods Library

‘Little Free Locker Room’ Now Open for Public Use in Lakewood’s Madison Park;
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Set for 4 pm on September 14

Friends of Madison Park proudly announces the opening of the Madison Park Little Free Locker Room. This community resource, inspired by our city’s numerous Little Free Libraries, is intended to offer any park visitor the opportunity to borrow or contribute sporting goods equipment while enjoying recreation within Madison Park.

The Madison Park Little Free Locker Room features a selection of sporting goods available for use by any park visitor on a first-come, first-served basis. Current items available in the Locker Room include sports balls (soccer, basketball, volleyball and football), frisbees, wiffle ball supplies, bubble wands, sidewalk chalk and more. An air pump for balls and bikes is also available onsite.

This sporting goods library is located in the center of our park along the eastern fence of the futsal courts near the historic skate house. It will remain open through the end of November, then resume operation next spring.

“We are excited to offer the Madison Park Little Free Locker Room as a unique amenity to improve access to recreational opportunities in our park,” said Matt Bixenstine, president of Friends of Madison Park. “Madison Park is beloved by countless members of our community and serves a population from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s our hope the Locker Room will enhance opportunities for play and enjoyment for any and all park-goers. This project has been in the works since last winter, and we are grateful for support from our partners at the City of Lakewood and The Lakewood Foundation for helping us to bring this vision to fruition.”

Park visitors are encouraged to make use of items from the Locker Room and return them once done. Donations of new or gently-used sporting goods can also be left onsite by community members. Friends of Madison Park will monitor the Locker Room and replenish inventory as needed. A ‘rules for use’ sign is posted on the fence next to the Locker Room.

While the Locker Room is already open for use, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 14 at 4 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Follow Friends of Madison Park on Facebook or Instagram for more details regarding this ceremony. Additionally, please consider visiting our booth during the Lakewood Community Festival taking place this Saturday, September 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Madison Park.

Friends of Madison Park thanks our board members and the following individuals for helping to make the Locker Room a reality: Matt Clark, JP Ptacek, Sam Paynter, Steve Evanko, Michael Purdy, Roman Ducu and Kurt Matej.

Madison Park is a 17-acre city park located on the edge of Lakewood’s Historic Birdtown Neighborhood. As the second-largest park and one of the most-visited public spaces in Lakewood, Madison Park offers amenities ranging from a city pool and lighted softball field to playgrounds, picnic pavilions and basketball + futsal courts.

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Friends of Madison Park is a volunteer-led group of neighbors committed to providing ongoing stewardship for Madison Park to ensure this public greenspace remains an exceptional asset for our community. Learn more at FriendsofMadisonPark.org.