Cottonwood park board plans $75,000 of repairs

TAKING A BREAK:
Daniel McCoy watches as Sheree McCoy gives a push to Bryce Peterson on the swing set at Cottonwood Community Park.

Since holding their first park improvement meeting in January, the Cottonwood Community Park Board released a list of improvements projected to cost $75,000, according to Cottonwood Community Center Activities Director Mary O'Keeffe. The small park is located behind the Little League fields between First Street and Gas Point Road in Cottonwood.

The list of proposed improvements includes extensive landscaping which would require the addition of new topsoil, a full-sized basketball court to replace the current concrete slab, repairs to the children's play area, four barbecue grills, more picnic tables, and improved lighting and electrical repairs.

"The biggest challenge is going to be maintenance," O'Keeffe said, as the park has suffered from neglect and vandalism.

To make these plans a reality, the park board is actively pursuing grant funding but nonetheless requires the help of people in Cottonwood to assist in improving the park.

"For the community of Cottonwood, it's nothing new for them to take an issue and address it themselves," O'Keeffe said, citing other community-funded projects such as the Cottonwood Community Library, the End of the Trail sculptures on Main Street, and the improvements made last month on the Cottonwood Little League fields.

"We do not turn down volunteers, use of equipment, or gifts of trees and plants," O'Keeffe said.

Aside from sharing a location with the Little League baseball fields, the park sees a great deal of use between 2-3 p.m. At that time, parents with young children wait at the park for older children to get out of school at nearby West Cottonwood Jr. High, according to Sheree McCoy at the park on Friday afternoon.

Park improvements are also a priority of Cottonwood organization Latinos in Action, O'Keeffe said.

The next park board meeting is scheduled for April 16, 6 p.m. at the Cottonwood Community Center, 20595 Gas Point Rd. Three new board members are sought to add to the current six members, who include Debbie Sylvester, Doreen Bradshaw, John Helfrich, John Lipsey, Pete Stiglich and Roger Janis.

The park board and Latinos in Action have already held three fundraisers for park improvements, O'Keeffe said. The next would be a Cinco do Mayo Celebration on May 2, 4-8 p.m. at the park. Tacos, drinks and entertainment are planned for the event. For more information about the park board and how to help, call 347-1230.