We are officially over the $100,000 mark and are starting to pick up steam. If anyone would like to help in the fundraising efforts please let me know. We still need another $100.000 roughly to order the playground equipment.
One more thing...there's a good chance that the square footage of this playground could approach a world record. Darin found the structure that is currently the world record and it appears this playground is very close. HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE!!!
Thanks everyone!!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I gotta give MAJOR PROPS to Jeremy (WillistonRecGuy)! He's gone out and successfully submitted and received grant funding for the playground. The most recent was a Garrison Diversion grant that Jeremy wound up driving by himself to Carrington to present to their board. Jeremy notified me today that we had been granted $25,000 from this grant which is very rare for a non-emergent application.
Great job, Jeremy!! Thank you very much for taking the time to help out and for being a Community Builder!!!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
A couple more "shout-outs" need to be made here. We have received grants and donations from both the city of Williston and the Williston Parks and Recreation Board of Directors.
I'd like to say thank you to the city of Williston which granted the Community Builders $50,000 through the Star grant. This money is, of course, contingent upon raising enough funds to order the equipment.
Thank you also to the Parks and Recreation board for their donation of $10,000.
Your donations are much appreciated.
The total so far is upwards of $80,000. We've been visiting quite a number of businesses who are bringing our donation request to thier boards and we are hoping to start seeing some significant funds trickle in.
We have bricks and pavers that will be placed at the entrance to the park that you can purchase and place loved ones names on them. We have several other levels of donations as well that will be placed in special locations at the entrance and around the playground so if you know of anyone that would like to donate please send them my way or to Darin Krueger at the Parks and Recreation or to Jake Liudahl at Balco Uniform. You can also make a donation on our website at www.communitybuildersnd.com
Thanks everyone!!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
It was my pleasure, THANK YOU for the donation and your support!!! I hope you have an enjoyable week next week and SAFE TRAVELS!!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I am not in charge of calling the Fire Department to get Lonewolf outta the slide. Thanks for stopping today Steve.. Call me when it comes time about the stones..I probably will do more.. some for my son and new wife... and my folks.. Just a thought..Thanks again. Vicki
Great!! Whats the splash park going to consist of? One like Sidneys with the big waterslides for older kids and a smaller splash area for tots? I dont know if I could fit my fat rear down one of the smaller slides!! LOL Are you going to need volenteers for building or going with contractors, let me know, Im sure I can spare some time this summer, or whenever you plan on starting..
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My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master.
We have a 3 phase approach to the playground project. Phases 1 and 2 consist of the new playground and splashpark and phase 3 will be the current playground upgrades.
We need to raise $350,000 for the new playground, $160,000 for the splashpark, and $150,000 for the equipment upgrades.
Fundraising is underway and help is needed in many areas.
Thanks!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Thanks for the welcome RW. I will be honest, I have never been involved with any blog or forums prior to this. However, after I was introduced to this site, I felt it would be a great networking tool, as well as a great way to meet some of the people in Williston. I have been in town for 8 years now, and I am really starting to realize how many people I really do not know, despite my attempts to become more involved with Williston. I do stand firm on my beliefs, but I do want to issue an apology about voicing them so strongly in this public forum. I would like to become more involved with the playground project as well as other programs around that would help to improve the quality of life in Williston. I would love to see an indoor "PlayLand" type area here in Williston. The fact is summers in Williston are generally great! However, as was witnesses this last winter, there is a serious lack of entertainment for the little ones when temps are below 0 other than running the aisles at the local Wal-Mart. I would also like to see some of the exhisting parks in town updated as well. Recreation Park is in my neighborhood and is frequented by my family throughout the summer. The equipment is very old and very unsafe. The railroad ties that contain the playground fill have a tendancy to leave slivers when sat on, and there is an old dilapidated wood playground structure. I have asked about this in the past and keep getting the same story about funds allocations and budgets. I thought I read somewhere that the community builders project included the renovation of some exhisting projects. Does any one know if this is true and what the timeline would be for this phase? I look forward to meeting and talking with everyone in the future. As a last note, my posting name is not just a moniqure, it is my actuall name, with the initialls standing for Jeremy Gene. Thanks All, and Lord Bless!
Rev Mohl: Thanks so much for being brave enough to post on this forum. After the recent fuss between SKM and RecGuy, I am sure the background lurkers (as they call 'em) are having a field day with it. The fact remains, that blogs and internet forums are here to stay, and the sooner we, as a group realize that, the better the dialogue will become. If nothing else, people are going to become well informed in many ways, and will learn to better navigate and manipulate the nuances of the English language....and if you have seen some of the weaknesses in grammar and composition in many of the written posts, not only here but other places, you would cringe....and I can just see the English teachers shrinking and hiding under their desks. So, again, welcome. ;o) R
Sorry, I did not mean to stir up such a fuss. I just wanted my opinion heard, however I fully agree with steve in that this is first and foremost for the young people of Williston. As a father of three, I cant wait to see the park completed. This does not now, now will it change my oppinion of the current park board and its obvious lack of professionalism. However, strong voices, united together, can affect much change. Lets just wait until after the park is build at this point. When is the next Community Builders Meeting, and how can I become more involved with the program. My schedule stays pretty full but I would like to help where ever I can. Thanks!
Thanks Steve now I have a sore toe and a headache. Call 572 5644 Our Office or just drop off a packet. I can do a check after Tuesday - my Accountant is not allowing me to touch my computer until then.. Or just send a mailing address and I can mail a check.. whatever works.
The playground will be located south of the west parking lot at the Western Star Softball complex.
I have you guys on my list to bring a donor packet to. When would be the best time?
A hammer to the toe would help take your headache away.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Steve I know you have a site that shows where this play ground is to be - but I do not think I actually know where it is. I have looked at your site and I still don't know Directions or what it is by - this is what works in my world. Can you let me know where it is or where it is by. Thanks And also when you are getting ready for donations - call on us.. Besides that I am having a sinus attacked and it hurts to think.
-- Edited by vko on Thursday 26th of March 2009 05:04:09 PM
-- Edited by vko on Thursday 26th of March 2009 07:02:08 PM
You are right, it is not my land to own, but it is our (WPR's) land to take care of. And that is what we are doing.
What do I know that you don't ?
I have been to many Commuity Builders Meetings.
My job is Parks and Recreation.
Some of my best friends around the State and Country are people that work in Parks and Recreation.
When it comes to playgrounds and specifically the Community Builders Playground I am guessing that I know a lot more about the topic than the average citizen.
There is and has been middle ground. The Community Builders and Parks and Recreation is working togeather to get this done. You and your "other people that feel this way" are the problem.
Why am I calling you out personally? Take a look at what you wrote about me on the mural thread. You seem to think that somehow I am personally gaining money by the decision to not go with Leathers.
I will not buck up and I will not have think skin when you attack my character. You were unprovoked and you have no facts to support you.
First of all, its NOT your land nor my land. It's ours. You know...ours in the Community. P and R shot down Leathers and Associate out of the gate. What do you know that we don't? Good grief. And why would P and R be responible, if something went wrong? Isnt it a Communit Builders Project? Maybe P and R should just take the iron out of the fire on this one, and say "Hey, go for it but were out". There has to be some middle ground here. PS why call me out personally? Im not the only one who feels this way!! YOU don't like what I have to say..Tough!!! Buck up!
-- Edited by SKM on Thursday 26th of March 2009 02:32:44 AM
ND's sentiments are the same as CB's. You know that...I hope. But you're gonna have to thicken your skin on this one as I'm afraid it's one of those Williston events that will be brought up over and over for a long, long time...unfortunately. Putting your opinion on what happened this past year is only opening up a reply from someone who supports Leathers. We don't want to go down that path again.
One final comment, if you do get a phone call from someone from this message board, be sure and have them call Jake or I as well. Thanks!!
Peace, serenity, and tranquility to all!!!!!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I am tired of WPR getting drug through the mud. By people that do not have all of the information.
Bottom line...
Somebody wanted us to put a playground (made by a company that had a reputation for safety and quality that we were not comfortable with) on our land and they wanted us to maintain it and own it.
SKM....
I would like to build a rollercoaster (built by a company you are not comfortable with) on your land and I want you to maintain it and own it (thus assume liability for).
Williston Parks and Recreation's goal is to do what is best for the Williston Parks and Recreation District, the City of Williston, and the residents of Williston and the surrounding area. We as a park district did not believe that a Leathers Playground was the best thing. I am not going to go into my personal/professional reasons on this site. Because as I have stated in the passed and have been proven correct over and over again, you post and put your opinion on this site you are just setting yourself up to be attacked.
Anybody that wants to get insite on the reason WPR was against a Leathers project can call me 577-5141.
I look forward to discussing this with any interested person.
For over a year Darin Krueger (Director of Parks and Recreation) and I have been attending meetings and have been very active.
First of all, I want to thank all of you for your words of encouragement. It's been a long process and those words help keep us moving forward in the process.
Second, thank you Reverend Mohl for participating here in our forum. I recall seeing you at the rally. I hope you all enjoyed your time and I certainly look forward to hearing from you here on the board.
Also, I remember seeing the public gardens in north Fargo when I lived there. The garden was ALWAYS full of people working away. I think it's a great idea and would love to discuss this more. Location is of most importance. I would suggest asking the little muddy group if there's a location near one of the picnic shelters. I realize skeeters are going to be an issue but that's going to be the case just about anywhere around here.
ND, I appreciate your comments tremendously. Community spirit and unity is our main focus. The playground is going to be for the kids but the effort to build as a community is to create a new bond for all of Willistons residence that choose to participate, regardless of the vendor we use to build it.
Thanks!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I totally support Rev. and what he said. P and R love to fight Community Builders. And for what? PandR dont want that park build that is obivous. And ND I think that would be a wonderful add to the new park.
Yes ND - I do think that is a great idea. Do you have a place in mind - putting it close to the kids Playground would be great as it would alow the parents to garden and keep an eye on their little ones... or the elderly love being around the children. Sorry I must have been sleeping and not noticed who posted. Great Idea ND.
-- Edited by vko on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 09:59:20 AM
I want to commend Community Builders on their efforts on this addition to Williston. I began following the project about a month or two ago. I was at the rally and saw the design for the new playground. This may or may not be the place, and I wish I had been involved in the initial phases of this project as it has been a dream of mine since moving to this town, however, I am still very discouraged at the fact that the "Park and Rec Board" turned down the initiall proposal to use Leathers and Associates to build the playground. I have read as much of the history of the project and the so called reasons the park board used to make sure that its members personal interests were first and foremost. I was absolutely disgusted when I read the reports. Again I fully commend Community Builders in their efforts, but my respect and opinion of the Williston Park Board has been forever marred over these past descisions.
I just wanted to send a huge Thank You to all that were able to make it to the rally. We had a great turn out. The kids that came through were able to give some great input as to what they would like to see included in this playground.
I will include attachments in this thread of the intial designs of the playground. You'll see that many of the resources of our area are included. Oil, agriculture, the Lewis and Clark bridge, commerce, etc... Keep in mind this design could change a little before the actual build day.
The kids that were there were very excited about this as were the parents. This is one of the things that gets me the most excited about this event is simply seeing the looks on the faces of the kids. I really, really can't wait to stand back once this playground is built and watch the kids play.
I encourage any of you to come on board. The intrinsic rewards you will receive from this are far greater than you can ever imagine.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Thanks a bazillion! Very much appreciated!! We are a month away from 501c3 status but we have an account setup and are able to take donations. We'll be visiting with local businesses very soon and we'll be sure and make a stop by your office, vko. Again, thanks so much you guys.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
The fundraising is going as expected. We're just getting started and people along with corporations are clamoring to donate. We've also been notified of several grants we've been awarded. Things are rolling along like a snowball.
The website to the community builders is www.communitybuildersnd.com
We need LOTS AND LOTS of volunteers and donations so anyone who wants to participate in any way, shape, or form please let me know.
Thanks for asking nd.citizen.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Thanks for stopping today Steve.. Call me when it comes time about the stones..I probably will do more.. some for my son and new wife... and my folks.. Just a thought..Thanks again. Vicki
