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Township parks provide recreation for residents

Sumpter Township is fortunate to in 2005 when the township purchased A pavilion was built on the land and
have two municipal parks, each with a $40,000 of playground equipment and a baseball diamond constructed in the
long history, to serve the recreational cleared more land for use and built two early years of the park. A second, larger
needs of community residents. pavilions for group events and picnics. pavilion was constructed in 1980 which
Both Banotai Park and Graham Park The park was rededicated in 2006 is used by the Sumpter Township Parks
have more than a half century of dedi- and the manmade lake renamed and Recreation Committee for various
cation to the township, one originally Sherwood Pond. Lavatories were needs.
named for a township supervisor and installed in 2009 along with drinking The park was dedicated to the mem-
the other named to honor a township fountains. There is now a sand volley- ory of fallen Sumpter Township Police
police officer. ball court and playground along with Ofc. Roy Graham on Nov. 6, 1985. Officer
public parking for visitors who can Graham was the only township police
BANOTAI PARK enjoy the picnic tables and grills along officer to lose his life in the line of duty.
Banotai Park was originally named with the beach area and fishing. A memorial service for Ofc. Graham
Sherwood Park in honor of Supervisor took place in 1993 and the current
John Sherwood who served the town- GRAHAM PARK memorial installed. His passing was
ship from 1932 until 1942. The nearly The 10 acres of land for Graham commemorated again in 2006 with a 20-
83-acre park is located on the northwest Park was originally purchased by the year memorial honoring his sacrifice
corner of Sherwood Road and Wear township in 1970 for about $15,000. It and service.
Road and was reclaimed from low land was originally called Wear Road Park Improvements have continued at the
and wet area beginning in 1990 and and was the site of the first Sumpter park throughout the years making it a
renamed the Municipal Marvin L. Days festival which has evolved into the facility that Sumpter Township resi-
Banotai Park. Real renovations began Sumpter Country Fest. dents can use and enjoy.