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Community Builders wants to move new playground
Williston Park Board approves having it in Davidson Park

By Alta Mayhugh
Staff writer
Published/Last Modified on Monday, June 22, 2009 10:57 AM CDT



Williston Community Builders plans to have a playground constructed at Davidson Park as opposed to near the Western Star softball complex. One option is to move the sand volleyball courts seen here on the north side of the park, as well as have the hockey rink somewhere else, to make room for the new playground. Alta Mayhugh|Williston Herald
Perhaps a more desirable location will entice more people to donate money for a new playground.

That idea was expressed by Darin Krueger, Williston Parks and Recreation director, during last Tuesday’s park board meeting. The board approved moving the location of the Williston Community Builders proposed playground project from southwest of the Western Star softball complex to Davidson Park, pending an exact location.

Community Builders members have met and discussed having it where the sand volleyball courts and ice rink are now on the north side of the park. The idea is to take these items out and moving them somewhere else.

The hockey rink is located west of the volleyball courts during the winter. Board member Darcy Collings didn’t like the idea of moving two things to make room for one item.

Another option is to tear out the existing playground on the east side of the park and replace it with the new playground. Park Board President Larry Grondahl also asked how crowded that area of the park would look if the new playground was installed there. He asked Community Builders member Steve Powell if he could get a digital image created so the board could have a visual on what the park would look like with the new playground.

The idea came about recently when the Community Builders decided Davidson Park was in a more accessible location than Western Star.

“We figure Davidson Park is more accessible to more kids,” Powell said.

Grondahl agreed.

“I think it’s a better location, it’s just a matter of fitting it somewhere,” he said.

Later in the meeting, board member Dave Slette asked how fundraising for the project was progressing. Krueger said it has slowed as $150,000 has been raised. The cost of the project is $344,000.

The Community Builders is working toward building a playground that’s a reflection of the city of Williston, with pieces that look like oil derricks, bridges, a few pieces that resemble small buildings such as a Williston General Store and a refinery station and a miniature Williston water tower. There is to be a portion for ages 2-5 with agricultural themes as well.

The second phase of the project is to add a splash pad to the playground, and the third phase is to fix the rest of the city’s playgrounds.

The Community Builders Web site is www.communitybuildersnd.com
 

Comments

    Steve Powell wrote on Jul 5, 2009 9:52 PM:

    " Mr. Tax Payer...thanks for being so cordial...you can call me Steve. You make a good point. Doesn't make much sense for the Community Builders to build something we merely drive up to, stare at, wave, take a picture of, or something like that, and turn around and drive away. We should probaby build something the kids can actually play on. Oh wait, that's exactly what we're building. Why in the world would we want to build a $355,000 structure that wasn't usable? Did I miss your point? And the commercial equipment we are using requires far, far less maintenance than the old equipment requires. Not to mention, if you had been following along, we will be assisting the Park Board in fixing up the existing equipment. That's the next phase. Thank you "Mr. Taxpayer". "

    tax payer wrote on Jun 30, 2009 4:09 PM:

    " So now Mr Powell is saying a wonderland theme park with the little derricks , miniture buildings, ect requires less maintience? Thats funny. Mr Powell how about Community builders which your a member of, & the Park Board come up with a park people can acually use, Or put the funds to good use fixing what we have. "

    Mommyofanangel wrote on Jun 29, 2009 3:07 PM:

    " I would agree that the city needs to take some of the dangerous playground equipment out of the playgrounds. My one year old went head first off the stairs of the slide at Davidson Park. Although, the community builders is a way to make a great park for the kids, I am not happy about the location. The families on the west side of town have no where for their children to play unless we cross the bypass. There are so many parks in town already. I completely disagree with having it at Harmon Park, I have heard nothing good about the skate park and the language of the kids using it. I don't want my children around that. "

    Cal wrote on Jun 29, 2009 12:25 PM:

    " I'm guessing it is already paid with donations..as far as maintaining it once it is built, I am guessing it would be up to the Parks and Recs, since it is basically being dontated to the city of Williston by Community Builders. I think the trade off is pretty good. As a taxpayer, I do not have to pay for the project, but as a tax payer, I pay for its maintenance. I might be wrong though. "

    Steve Powell wrote on Jun 29, 2009 12:08 PM:

    " Curious, who pays for what? If we replace the existing playground the only thing that changes is the fact that the new structure will require much less maintenance than the existing structure. Even the taxpayer wins with this plan. "

    curious wrote on Jun 27, 2009 6:24 PM:

    " who pay's after it is built "

    Granny Gritter wrote on Jun 25, 2009 4:12 PM:

    " Have you been to Westlawn Park? Chances are that you have not. We used to have a hoop for basketball, a merrygoround, baby swings. Not any of that exists anymore. It is a disgrace that location is of the most importance. Drive by and see for yourself and I think you will agree that Westlawn is in dire need of a fix me up. "

    Steve Powell wrote on Jun 25, 2009 11:21 AM:

    " A message to all of you taxpayers. This park is being built by donations, not tax dollars. A group of positive thinking, progressive individuals has worked many hours trying to do something wonderful for the community. This is not a Parks and Recreation project although members of the Parks and Recreation are also Williston Community Builders and have also worked very hard at making this dream come true. The Park Board granted us a location to build the playground. We have also included plans on assisting the Parks and Recreation department in raising funds to replace the equipment at the existing playgrounds so those bases have been covered also. Once again, thanks for your support. "

    concerned parent wrote on Jun 25, 2009 11:16 AM:

    " I agree the two areas are separate. I have made my donation to the park as I have a young child and would love to see such a neat park. Something with more than just a set of swings and a slide, somewhere where my child can use his imagination. This city is not large enough to support a large scale water park. If you want to attract more people what about an indoor water park. Lets face it an outdoor water park has a very limited season in North Dakota. I support the community builders in thier ideas fully, including an outdoor water park. If you dont like their ideas, what steps are you taking to improve your community? What are you doing to implement those ideas? It is easy to sit back and critize others, its much harder to actually implement change. "

    citizen wrote on Jun 24, 2009 10:13 PM:

    " i agree with taxpayer comments. i too am a tax payer. we don't need another park. fix what we have. we have lots of parks that could be updated & used better. a water park like watford city, minot or bismark is a great idea, thats a win win for everybody!!! "

    marge wrote on Jun 24, 2009 11:45 AM:

    " I think people are getting a little carried away with this whole thing. The NEW park is being built by "community builders" is my understanding...NOT the Williston Park board. It is wonderful that "community builders" is willing to take on this task of building a special park for our city. They are working with the Williston Park board as to the best park to build this in...it is NOT about upgrades to the current parks...this is the Williston Park Boards job. Maybe I am wrong, but I think there is a difference between the 2 groups.???? "

    One of the Silent Minority wrote on Jun 23, 2009 10:32 PM:

    " I agree with local mom! Why not update Harmon park and the rest of the parks in town? We have enough parks in this town and in all areas of town--they need to be fixed up and then each area of town will have a nice park within walking distance. We don't need just a splash park for little children; what we need is a water park such as Watford City, Minot, or Bismarck so we can attract out-of-towners to come here for fun!! Which, by the way, will bring shoppers and motel guests too! It seems to me that the voting around this town works just like it did in high school, in that the people with the names and status always get the vote to go their way and for the rest of us our opinion just doesn't count! It's all who you are and how much money you have to your name. "

    tax payer wrote on Jun 23, 2009 3:41 PM:

    " Earlier the Park board was saying they needed more taxes to fix up the existing parks, with a 1 cent tax extension. Now there talking about moving or building a new Park. Whats goin on anyway? "

    Marcy wrote on Jun 23, 2009 1:24 PM:

    " I agree to the park move. Somehow adult softball, tail gating after games with some drinking, etc... (not that I am against it)...some how does not mix well for me with little kids adjacent to the ball diamonds. I realy like the idea of Davidson Park with the library next door, or Harmon Park...maybe even Recreation Park next to downtown...that park has lots of trees, and seems to get used less than some of the other parks. "

    Steve Powell wrote on Jun 23, 2009 12:21 PM:

    " Wonderful to see there are people keeping up with the status of the playground project!!! We have had meetings each month since March but the site has not been updated. We DO have an account setup now at American State Bank and we also have an Employer Identification Number for your tax deductible donation. You can contact myself at American State Bank or Jake Liudahl at Balco Uniforms for that number. The first paragraph in this article makes it appear that we are struggling to raise money for this project. The true fact of the matter is we have raised over $150,000 in less than 3 months which is an incredible amount of money in such a short period of time. We are well on our way to raising the needed funds to complete this project but will need the community's continued support of this project. Thank you very much for your support and keep your eyes open for more great news on the playground to come...hopefully soon!! "

    local mom wrote on Jun 22, 2009 2:44 PM:

    " Why don't they replace the existing playground at Harmon park with this? Has anyone noticed how poor Harmon's park is these days. Nothing's been updated since the early 90's. I know I'd be more willing to donate and use the park if it was located in the center of town. Don't know too many people who enjoy loading the kids in the car to drive to a park. Plus, it'd be located right next to the outdoor pool. What better location could there be? That or scrap the new park, and fix up the existing parks. There is 1 park in this town that actually has working baby swings. "

    Park Patron wrote on Jun 22, 2009 2:26 PM:

    " I wanted to comment on the donations for the new playground. I've been wanting to donate to this cause for some time. I see on the coummunity Builders website that they are now accepting donations, but there is another page called "News & Notes" that shows the minutes for a meeting on March 12. These minutes state that they don't have a checking account yet and that they haven't achieved the non-profit legal status yet. I'm assuming that there have been more meetings since March 12 and most likely those things have been taken care of. As soon as the site is updated showing that those things are in place, I'll be sending a donation. I don't know if there are others who are waiting for the same thing, but it may be one of the reasons that donations are a bit slow. Most of us need to make sure that our donations will be tax deductible. "

    Michelle wrote on Jun 22, 2009 1:17 PM:

    " I think moving it is a wonderful idea. At least until the city can afford or express interest in building some sort of sky walk for kids and adults to cross the bypass safely on foot or bike. My kids are older and pretty self sufficient but I still get worried when they have to cross there to get to the softball diamonds. I don't like doing it myself. "

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