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Friendly Park <br /> update <br /> Concerned citizens have been talking with <br /> the City for the last four years about needed <br /> improvements for Friendly Park (27th and <br /> Madison). Three years ago the Friendly <br /> Park Improvement Committee was formed. <br /> This group of neighbors has conducted <br /> public input sessions, has developed a <br /> master plan for park improvements, and has <br /> raised $2,300 through fundraising efforts. <br /> Members of the City Council and em- <br /> ployees of the Public Works Department <br /> have been consulting with the committee <br /> during this time and are generally support- <br /> ive of its efforts and priorities. Improving <br /> drainage in the northern end of the park <br /> and building a new play structure have <br /> been identified as the highest priorities. <br /> Bids for needed drainage came to nearly <br /> $10,000 and the City says that there is only <br /> $5,000 annually in the budget for drainage. <br /> Attempts to fund the project by straddling <br /> two fiscal years have failed and construc- <br /> tion costs are increasing rapidly. The City <br /> has also spoken about a desire to provide <br /> matching funds as an incentive to groups <br /> who have raised money for projects of this , <br /> kinds. However, attempts to get money in <br /> the budget for matching funds have failed <br /> for the last two years. <br /> We are hopeful that progress can be made <br /> towards improving Friendly Park. However, <br /> funding problems and bureaucracy are <br /> thwarting our efforts at this point. Anyone <br /> with questions or concerns about why the <br /> City is unable or unwilling to maintain its <br /> parks should attend the General Meeting <br /> on June 19. Tim Laue, will be participating <br /> in an open forum to answer your questions. <br /> — Carolyn Partridge <br /> •F 1^iY..,.IXQ,(� 14•t -4 Li 1 > cot! /44.(n1) <br />