Grants in Action: Removing Barriers at the Devola Pool

Photo provided by EMCA

On a hot summer afternoon, the Devola Pool is exactly where many families want to be.

Children splash in the water, friends gather poolside, and community members take part in everything from swimming lessons to aqua fitness classes. For decades, the pool has been a summertime tradition—a place where memories are made, healthy habits are formed, and neighbors come together.

Operated by the East Muskingum Civic Association, the pool serves hundreds of individuals and families each year through memberships, daily admissions, programs, and community partnerships. But while the pool has long been a gathering place for the community, accessing the water was not easy for everyone.

For years, the facility relied on a traditional ladder system, creating challenges for individuals with mobility limitations and others who struggled to safely enter and exit the pool. Community members had expressed interest in a more accessible option, but the cost of installing new pool steps was difficult to absorb while continuing to maintain and operate the facility.

As a nonprofit organization, the East Muskingum Civic Association reinvests much of its revenue back into maintaining the pool and supporting its programs. Like many community organizations, it faces the ongoing challenge of balancing day-to-day operations with important capital improvements.

That changed when a Community Impact Grant from Marietta Community Foundation helped turn a long-standing goal into a reality.

“This grant gave us the flexibility to move the project forward and make it a reality for the community," said Tyler Sprigg, Vice President of the East Muskingum Civic Association. "As a nonprofit, most of our revenue goes right back into maintaining our facilities and programs. Finding an extra $5,000 to $6,000 for a project like this was difficult."

With support from the Community Impact Grant program, the Association installed new ADA complaint pool steps, creating a safer and more welcoming experience for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

Photo provided by EMCA

"We're incredibly grateful to Marietta Community Foundation and the donors who make Community Impact Grants possible,” said Sprigg. “This project had been on our wish list for years, but it simply wasn't something we could make happen on our own. Their support allowed us to create a safer, more welcoming experience for everyone who uses the pool."

This summer, the East Muskingum Civic Association is expanding its reach through partnerships with the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club, bringing even more children and families to the facility. The pool continues to offer swimming lessons, aqua fitness classes, adult swim hours, special events, and recreational opportunities that promote healthy living and strengthen community connections.

That's the power of community philanthropy.

A grant that may seem modest on paper can create a ripple effect far beyond the project itself. It can remove barriers, expand opportunities, and help ensure that valued community spaces remain accessible to everyone.

And that's exactly what Community Impact Grants are designed to do—transform generosity into meaningful, lasting change throughout Washington County.