The board on Tuesday approved the donation of about an acre of land on the Western Star Complex property to Community Builders for the project. The playground is part of a three-phase plan by the organization.
It intends to build a playground in the first phase, a splash park in the second and improve five of the city's parks in the third, board Chair Larry Grondahl said after the meeting.
Community Builders is a group of citizens that formed to improve the quality of life in Williston. The board in July rejected its previous proposal of using Leathers and Associates, known for using wood for its playgrounds. Using wood concerned the board, Grondahl said, and the park district's insurance company recommended the board not go through with the project.
Community Builders then followed the board's desires to go with a commercial vendor. Steve Powell of Community Builders talked to the board Tuesday about the project. The company has yet to be chosen. Parks and Recreation Director Darin Krueger is pleased an agreement's been reached because he knows it'll be good for the community.
"I'm excited to give them the land," he said after the meeting.
Powell is excited as well.
"At this point, we're thankful we're able to move forward," he said Wednesday morning, adding the group hopes to have the playground ready by the end of next July.
The group has committees, and the fundraising committee is working on ways to raise money for the project.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board heard the Tennis Committee has met twice and is ready to improve and add tennis courts, Krueger said.
Plans are for three new courts and changing the four courts at Davidson Park to three courts so they're regulation-size, Krueger said. Members of the committee are Krueger, Jessica Hanson, Jeremy Ludlum, Frank Keogh, Lynne Raymond, Del Easton and Deb Kemp.
The goal is to raise $150,000 for the project. The committee's working on fundraising ideas, as well as seeking grants and donations, he said.
In an unrelated matter, Krueger thanked all the volunteers for the all-city Halloween party and the Haunted House, an event that had assistance from the Williston State College baseball team.
"We can't do anything without our volunteers," Krueger said.
Comments
interested parent wrote on Dec 1, 2008 11:01 AM:
Marc Leathers wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:11 AM:
I am Marc Leathers the owner and President of Leathers & Associates. I normally don’t take the time to respond to issues and statements like the ones being made by one specific member of the Williston Park Board. The first 2, 3, 4, 5….times I’ve overlooked it but at some point there is a limit.
The information “facts” and statements that the public is being told about Leathers & Associates is simply false. I can’t say it any clearer. I would encourage anybody with question to visit to our website www.leathersassociates.com . We have been in business for almost 40 years and have been successful l only by truly helping communities with custom-designed community-built playgrounds. These playgrounds are state of the art in materials and design. Communities have options for materials including all plastic (no wood). The maintenance requirements are certainly no more than the manufactured options. We offer a better value on your money in the short and long term, a safe playground and the best opportunity to build community.
What people should be asking is why? At this point I would like to take a moment to congratulate Larry Grondahl on being the 2007 Landscape Structures sales rep of the year. He represents a manufactured playground company and obviously has a biased opinion. In the end the public can figure out right and wrong and accountability!
I’m not writing to try and get the park board to change their mind. That decision was decided long ago. I’m writing because a dedicated volunteer group, the community builders, did do their research and tried to bring a wonderful opportunity to their community. I’m writing because the public is being misinformed and deserves better.
In the end choosing Leathers and Associates is about involvement and providing a community the opportunity to empower themselves. It’s an opportunity to build a brighter future. To teach our children about working together for a greater cause and yes in the end building the most incredible playground ever! "
Jake Liudahl wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:14 AM:
Sincerely,
Jake Liudahl "