Let’s talk city parks! If you’ve recently had an opportunity to visit one or more of our city’s parks, you may have noticed improvements. I’ll admit the progress has been stop-and-go, but there is a definite focus on upgrades.
Lincoln Park has a new playground set started and, weather permitting, is near completion. New swings and basketball goals will appear soon. This was part of a big donation from the Parks and Recreation Corporation, a local foundation. The donation was made in 2022; unfortunately, the project was slow to make it to the top of the priority list.
The same Foundation provided funding for equipment at Klingensmith park. I am so excited for the installation of a swing that will allow folks (children as well as adults) to use while seated in their wheelchair.
Toni Godwin Park is the recipient of new picnic tables, generously built by the Life Skills class at the high school. The teacher, Mr. Forrest Brandt, has been amazingly receptive to my requests, and I can’t wait to see what his class produces for us next. There is also a new grill there as well. The Parks and Recreation Corporation was the donor for the adaptive swing seats as well as some new toddler swing seats. The playground equipment in that park was painted by the ever-willing Activation Outreach. The chain basketball nets were paid for through the Wildflower Run organization.
Bethel Park now has 13 new trees and 8 new shrubs. It’s also been seeded with flowering perennials, so next spring, we should see it come to new life. The foot bridges are being repaired: boards have been replaced and will be stained and treated with wood preservative to extend their life.
The park area near the hospital (“the oval”) has seen much remediation. Many dead trees were removed and the longstanding flower and shrub beds have been cleaned and upgraded. Our Public Works Department was responsible for the tree removal and repair of the irrigation system. Much credit to Savannah Vasquez for her enthusiasm for this park. She has pretty much singlehandedly planted new areas of groundcover and perennials, all collected and harvested locally at zero cost to anyone. “Thank you” goes to Kathy Willeford who graciously offered her deadheads as a source.
What else is coming? Ms Vasquez plans for butterfly gardens for each of the abovenamed parks to be started in the spring. Expect to see big improvements in the areas surrounding the lake, thanks to CM Lawn and Land. Our pool is on schedule to be open this summer, which will be an amazing asset to our already beautiful city.
As always, I welcome your input.