Kiwanis and City of Jackson to celebrate renovated Kiwanis Park at noon on Sept. 16

By Frank Weir Legal News The Kiwanis Club of Jackson as well as the city of Jackson have combined resources to renovate Kiwanis Park and both want to show off the results with a special rededication ceremony, ribbon cutting, and hot dog lunch on Sept. 16 at the Park at the corner of North Elm Avenue and Blakely Street. The event will take place from noon to 2 p.m. According to a Kiwanis Club spokesperson, in addition to grills, benches, playground equipment, lights, landscaping, and improved fencing, a large pavilion with picnic tables, and new bathrooms have been installed. "The most dramatic transformation is the addition of a grand entrance to the park featuring a welded arch with brick walls and pillars," the spokesperson said. "Within the pillars are 100 granite blocks that are still available for purchase with an engraved message. The purchase price is $125 for each block. All proceeds from the sale of the granite blocks will be used for additional park enhancements." "We looked for a project that met specific criteria - was long lasting, had community value and carried the Kiwanis name," said Dennis DaPra, president of the Kiwanis Foundation of Jackson. "But most of all, it had to benefit children in the community, as Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time." He added that a budget of $148,000 has been established to renovate the Park under the guidance of Brandon Ransom, director of parks, recreation and grounds for the city of Jackson, and the renovation work has been completed by Robert Johnson of 5 Leprechauns Construction. Jason Covalle of George Covalle Architect and Associates, Inc. provided the park design. "Kiwanis Park enjoys a long history, over 60 years, and we want to make sure we leave a legacy to the community," DaPra continued. "Our members are so proud to have invested not only the financial resources, but sweat equity by painting the storage building that houses the bathrooms and storage room, and planting flowers and shrubs. Serving the children of our community will always be the number one priority of Kiwanis, and it is our hope that the community will use the park often." The Kiwanis Club of Jackson started in 1918. Today it includes 90 members. Published: Thu, Sep 1, 2011

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