If you’ve been wondering how you can help with the Pocket Park, volunteers are needed for park work sessions from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon) on August 30, September 13, and September 27.
The Pocket Park Committee continues to meet regularly. The neighborhood is at a point where we need to begin to draw down the funds from our grant by September 9, 2014. There are several funding obstacles for which the committee needed to account. As a result, given the funding obstacles and the need to draw down funds, the Committee made critical changes to the shelter. The current shelter quote is approximately $24,000 and the neighborhood has raised $9,800 towards the cost of the shelter. To reduce costs, the Committee decided to eliminate storage space in the shelter and the trex flooring. The Committee will meet with the shelter contractor to get a quote on the scaled-down storage design. Additionally, the Committee will look at crowd-sourcing sites to raise $10,000 in 30 days as well as other grant opportunities that may be available to the neighborhood.
A new neighbor has graciously donated several boulders and logs that will be used in the park as a design feature and additional seating for events. The Committee is working with KIB to get the boulders and logs moved to the park site in the near future.
The committee agreed that the playstation looks unfinished and needs either a roof or caps on the playstation tower. We decided to see if we could get dome material used at the 29th Street and Capitol Avenue pocket park to provide shade.
The Committee has submitted a grant to CICF for Phase 3 funding needs such as public art and historic lighting and the Committee is looking into a Lowes grant for benches and additional historic lighting.
Though the park is still closed until further notice, neighbors can see and participate in the progress. Fundraising continues for the remaining fence and park necessities. While KIB has secured many resources towards the park, neighbor contributions are still needed to make the HMP Pocket Park a premier destination for neighborhood social events or personal enjoyment.
Your tax deductible park donation can be made at the Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation. Please add “HMP Pocket Park” in the memo line.