Grant will help provide shade for spectators at Lanier Pointe

GAINESVILLE - Skin cancer is a big problem in the United States - and with the help of the American Academy of Dermatology, spectators in the stands at one popular Gainesville park will soon be in the shade.

"We received an $8,000 grant to build shade structures out at Lanier Pointe Softball Complex," said Jone Taylor, recreation division manager for Gainesville Parks and Recreation. "We have about 15,000 players that play at Lanier Pointe, but we have about 70,000 spectators."

She added the grant will not cover the entire cost of the structures, but will go a long way.

The grant was one of 37 awarded nationwide.