As the finishing touches are occurring on the Phase I improvements at East Twin Park, city officials announced that there will be a ribbon cutting Thursday, May 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Larry Flaws, director of Recreation and Public Grounds, said most, if not all of the sidewalks will be completed.
Lindsay Henderson, community vitality director, said she will invite officials associated with the Wellmark Grant Foundation to the event. The city received a Wellmark Foundation matching fund grant to help with the purchase of fitness and playground equipment at East Twin Park.
Mary Fortune, one of the community members who spearheaded the movement to revitalize the park, said she would be on hand at the ribbon cutting to demonstrate how to use the fitness equipment. Fortune said she would also talk about Phase II plans for the park, which include renovating the block shelter and adding a yoga pad/pickleball court.
Fortune said she and Flaws had talked with Habhab Construction to get quotes for the project.
“I have plans to reach out to the paint suppliers in town for paint and supplies to revitalize the shelter,” she said.
She added that a grant application had been prepared to be submitted to the Stearns Trust to cover some or all of the construction costs.
The commission voted to support plans for the Phase II project, with the matter to next go to the City Council.
Work is also progressing at West Twin Park with preparations for the new shelter house. Flaws said there was another small portion of concrete that needed to be poured at the shelter site. After that, the construction of the cedar shelter will get underway.
“The kit we purchased last year has been stored in the street department building. So we’ll get that out,” Flaws said. “The mayor was going to try to lead a group of volunteers to start building the kit.”
Once the structure is built, Habhab Construction will return to install the plumbing for the shelter.
Henderson also announced that the Farmers Market will be making a move to the West Twin Parks area. A meeting was held earlier this week with vendors. The markets will be held Wednesday evening and Saturday mornings. Henderson said for the first time there will be nominal vendor fees — $25 for the season if paid before June 1; $30 if after June 1 and $10 for a single day spot.
Improvements are continuing at other parks in the community, Flaws said. The city crews have completed the ground work at Wehrheim Park for the new basketball court. Hoops and backboards have been ordered. Contractors will apply the asphalt as they work on street projects in the community this summer.
Flaws also said the outdoor swimming pool will open on Saturday. June 5. He added that there will be no restrictions related to COVID-19. About 40 lifeguards have been hired for the pool season, he said.
View this article as it originally appeared in the Daily Freeman-Journal.
Last modified: May 21, 2021