After over two years Carl Schenn Park has a brand new playground.
Humboldt Citizens for Better Playgrounds unveiled the new playground during a ribbon cutting at the park on Jun. 21 and committee member, Kelly Soderholm, could not be happier with the end result.
“There was a lot of times where we wondered what we were getting ourselves into but clearly by this day every minute was worth it with all the kids loving it and just how it all turned out we’re very happy.”
City of Humboldt Mayor, Malcolm Eaton, was also pleased with the new park and called it a “tremendous addition to the community.”
There are a number of features included in the park including a smaller play structure, for younger children and a larger play structure for the older children.
Having a place for everyone to play was really important, says Soderholm, who noted that that was the committee’s number one goal.
“We’re so proud that it’s done and it’s wheelchair accessible and we love it.”
The project started over two years ago after Soderholm, along with Carmen Fraser, and Diane Nordick began discussing ways to replace the pre-existing structure, which had been supported by the Lions Club since 1992 and was quickly approaching its last legs.
The committee first approached the city with an idea and asked for their support. The city agreed to provide assistance for the park pledging $75,000 to the park, while asking the committee to also provide $75,000.
After securing the necessary funding from the city, the committee began applying for grants and approaching local businesses with their plan.
A number came through, says Soderholm, including Community Initiatives Fund, Potash Corp, BHP Billiton, and Richardson Pioneer, among others.
The support they have seen from the community has been wonderful, says Soderholm.
“I did not expect this much even but when we asked for volunteers we had so many volunteers, young and old, coming to help us out and it felt very humbling and grateful to have the community step in and support it.”
After receiving all of the necessary funding the committee began purchasing all of the equipment for the park and began installing it last fall, finally finishing it earlier this year with the installation of the toddler area.
Today the park is home to over $150,000 worth of equipment, which Mayor Eaton says meets all the necessary codes and has “the best safety features” as well.
Mayor Eaton says, it is important for the community to have playgrounds like the one at Carl Schenn Park because it provides the opportunity to have a very active and family friendly community, which is something that the city noticed was important when they were in the planning process for the Our Humboldt Strategic Plan.
“People want to be active and want to have lots of good choices for different kinds of recreational facilities for all ages.”
Eaton says the location is also perfect, being right next to the Carl Schenn soccer fields because it gives the children something to do while their siblings are playing soccer.
Soderholm would like to thank everyone who supported the committee along the way to help make their dream a reality.
“We hope Humboldt continues to enjoy it.”
