HUMBOLDT — A citizen group is working to raise $150,000 in order to install a play structure and a pickleball court at Water Ridge Park.
Breanna Landry, the president of the Water Ridge Playground Committee, said having a playground at the park was something she was thinking of for the past few years. The park has green space, walking trails and the local spray park.
“Now that I have a little one – I'm on mat leave – a bunch of us young moms have been walking through that park and I had brought it up a few different times, so then we just decided to take the idea to the city and see if they'd be open for a new structure there.”
That was in August. The city was open to the idea.
“We're working closely with them,” said Michael Ulriksen, the city’s leisure services director. “They're going to start doing the fundraising and we'll just work back and forth with them on the concept plan and the actual installation and development of that.”
Discussions are still underway as to where the facilities will be located.
So far, the committee has raised around $30,000. They are hosting a live auction on Facebook, Water Ridge Playground Live Auction, from Friday, March 12 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 18.
The fundraising effort received a boost when Michel’s Industries donated $10,000 to the project.
“It was an awesome donation,” Landry said.
The goal is to have the pickleball court installed this summer and the play structure installed in Summer 2022.
“Unless, of course, we get more grants and cash donations,” Landry said. “We can get it done sooner.”
The play structure and a pickleball court may not be the only new item for those enjoying Water Ridge Park.
Ulriksen said the city is looking at using the water body east of the park for outdoor skating next year.
“We're just at the very start of looking into that as an option for a leisure opportunity for next year.”
The director added the city would have to determine if it’s safe.
Landry said skating would be a great addition for the park, as the community and people from surrounding towns make Water Ridge a destination because of the spray park.
For those wanting to learn more about the project or make a donation, they can contact Landry at [email protected].
