WALKER, Mich. — A converted warehouse space in Walker is offering young people a safe place to engage with their friends and have fun.
3 Mile Project has welcomed more than 32,000 students since opening thirteen years ago.
"We see kids from a 30-mile radius typically 30 to 40 miles, they can come from as far as Allegan and Hopkins to the south, lakeshore to the west, Belding and Saranac to the east, Newaygo and Grant to the north," explained Stan Kiste, Executive Director of 13 Mile Project."We know that it's absolutely critical to have a place where kids can be socially engaged, and physically active. And we know that little things matter when it comes to community and belonging."
Kiste said hundreds of kids gave input about what they wanted to see at the facility and the result was a wide variety of activities.
The space is huge— with room for sports courts, video games, movie theaters, an indoor skate park, and an indoor ninja arena, for starters.
There are also many places to sit and chill or grab a drink and snack.
3 Mile is open to 7th-9th graders Friday.
Saturday it opens to 5th-6th graders.
"We want to provide an age-appropriate environment, not only from the standpoint of having a level playing field for the physical activities that we have, but also just emotionally and intellectually," Kiste explained.
The faith-based nonprofit is intentional about having a positive space for young people to go on the weekend.
"Typically, if there's going to be things that kids are going to get into that are less than positive, it tends to be those weekend evenings," Kiste told FOX 17 News. "What we're trying to do here is to show kids a different way...we hope through our example, that we're able to demonstrate a different path for some of the kids who visit us here, a path that leads to hope and joy and purpose and meaning in a world where those things seem to be lacking often."
3 Mile Project offers a Family Fun Day on the third Saturday of every month.
The center will be open February 17 from 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. for families to enjoy.
Admission is $5. Kids ages three and under are free.
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