Jackson, MI – American 1 Credit Union announced a donation to the Jackson County Parks Department and the Jackson Area Pickleball Association (JAPA) for their new Pickleball Center in Sparks Foundation Park.

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into one game. It requires two to four players and uses a perforated plastic ball and paddles to play. American 1 saw the opportunity to support the initiative to encourage community-wide awareness of the project and further the positive economic growth in the Jackson area.

“Creating vibrant public spaces is important to economic growth, and supporting the community in which American 1 was founded will always be a priority for us,” said Martha Fuerstenau, President/CEO of American 1. “We appreciate the Jackson County Parks Department and how they continue to find ways to enhance the outdoor experience in Jackson.”

The project is estimated to cost $450,000 and JAPA plans to complete fundraising by July 1, 2021. With aggressive fundraising, the eight court complex is expected to be fully constructed and ready for use by June 2022.

“We believe that physical and financial wellness go hand-in-hand,” said Janelle Merritt, Vice President of Community Partnerships at American 1. “We are donating to this project to support more access to physical fitness and play in the Jackson community. Having access to free outdoor activities develops healthy communities, healthy families, and healthy individuals.”

Established in 1950, American 1 Credit Union today serves over 59,000 members with 16 branch locations across Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Calhoun, Lenawee, and Wayne counties. American 1 is proud to serve the members of their communities by creating financial wellness through personal everyday banking.