Volunteers have raised $23,000 toward new park in South Whitley, hoping economic upturn will help fundraising process
From the Tribune-News
Two years ago, local citizens Katie Till and Coleen French had a vision for updating old playground equipment in South Whitley’s town park.
They began to serve on the park board and brought a design for a park with age-appropriate play areas to the council a year later; a feature of the design was a play village allowing interactive play for young children.
Despite fundraising hampered by a slow economy, Till, French and the other park board members have managed to put $23,000 in the bank toward the park, they informed the South Whitley Town Council on December 28.
They can also count on $25,000 from the town’s 2010 budget and $15,000 from the 2011 budget, along with about $9,500 pledged for the new year.
Although disappointed when a possible partnership with Parkview Hospital fell victim to the economy, Till and French are hopeful that they will receive a matching grant from the USDA.
“We will hold off (spending) until the first of the year to see if we get the grant and not risk losing any potential money,” French said.
With luck, construction of the play village will begin by mid-2011.
Two years ago, local citizens Katie Till and Coleen French had a vision for updating old playground equipment in South Whitley’s town park.
They began to serve on the park board and brought a design for a park with age-appropriate play areas to the council a year later; a feature of the design was a play village allowing interactive play for young children.
Despite fundraising hampered by a slow economy, Till, French and the other park board members have managed to put $23,000 in the bank toward the park, they informed the South Whitley Town Council on December 28.
They can also count on $25,000 from the town’s 2010 budget and $15,000 from the 2011 budget, along with about $9,500 pledged for the new year.
Although disappointed when a possible partnership with Parkview Hospital fell victim to the economy, Till and French are hopeful that they will receive a matching grant from the USDA.
“We will hold off (spending) until the first of the year to see if we get the grant and not risk losing any potential money,” French said.
With luck, construction of the play village will begin by mid-2011.