LIVING HERE
Veterans Park is due for some major renovations.
Veterans Park is utilized by many locals and visitors, as well as by different organizations. The YMCA is one of those frequent users and is in the process of planning the renovations and raising funds for the baseball diamonds. The bathrooms, walkways, and concession stand all need the work, as well. The city public works department is concerned with the playground equipment, which is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
The city has been trying to hold out on the replacement of the playground because of the planned Never Say Never Playground that will replace everything. The Never Say Never Playground is a playground designed for those with special needs and will be the only one of its kind in Walworth County when it is completed. The non-profit organization behind it began the process of planning and fundraising several years ago and is just under the halfway mark to make this happen. The city cannot wait any more, however, as the current equipment is on the brink of being unsafe and the whole playground may need to be shut down. The Never Say Never playground does not come cheap, and it is estimated that it will cost close to half a million dollars.
The Park Board is aware of all the needs Veterans Park has, the cost to make things happen, and how important it is to get it all accomplished. The Park is the location of many different sports tournaments, which are great for helping the Lake Geneva Tourism bottom line (as it relates to heads-in-beds). The city council has decided to try to help get the park renovated by hiring Becky Bunz, a grant writer with MSA (grant writing company). The NIF (Neighborhood Initiative Fund) grant application is due by November 5, 2021, so the council had to move fast. The grant application is not an easy process, and it will cost the city $6,000 for the grant request and $2,000 for the site plan that must be submitted with the application. If the grant is awarded to the city, it would include all the improvements needed to make Veterans Park a special destination.
The YMCA, Never Say Never Organization, and the park board has some of the funds needed to get the work done, which would be utilized, along with the grant money, which is expected to be in the amount of 2.9 million if it comes through. If all goes well the renovations can be scheduled and the work can be done. The expectation is it will bring in more tournaments to town and the playground is expected to draw people from all over disabled or not to enjoy the new very accommodating equipment. Meanwhile, Tom Earle is left with a situation where the current playground equipment cannot last much longer yet he has no budget to fix any of it, even temporarily. Winter will be a welcome respite.
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