By Brian Freiberger
A field at Swan Park in Schoolcraft Township was dedicated in late April to Troy Faulk, a longtime police officer and servant of his community.
Faulk has worked in law enforcement for 29 years, 22 years in Kalamazoo, and retired from the Air Force reserve after serving 23 years. “While being a military member it was always taught that you are a citizen soldier and to give back to the community,” said Faulk.
Faulk became interested in the park. “My kids got into it. I found it really relaxing being out there.”
Faulk has spent hundreds and hundreds of hours mowing the fields, working with the irrigation system, and keeping the facility up to date, “It’s been a lot of hard work and it’s paid off now.”
The field will be hosting its fourth Little League state championship for the top eight teams for ages 9-11 on July 26. “People say they’ll play in Schoolcraft because the fields are so nice,” said Faulk.
Before the project was completed the field was bare. But Faulk had a vision. “Don’t look at it for what it is, look at it for what it could be.”
Faulk a former Schoolcraft Little League president, is now a board member because he is spending a lot more time working. But that won’t keep him from helping anytime soon. “I’ll probably help out with this for the next 20 years,” he said.
“I chuckle from time to time about how a guy from Mendon gets his name on a field in Schoolcraft,” Faulk said.