|
 After
the ribbon cutting the guests, all dogs and dog owners enjoyed
checking out the wide-open spaces of the park for the first time.
Also, pet owners were invited to enjoy a grilled hot dog and chips
with a drink courtesy of the city of Lincoln and the Lincoln Police
Department.
This was the second of two ribbon cuttings on new and improved city
parks in the city of Lincoln this week.
The first ribbon cutting was held at Melrose Park on Monday evening.
Melrose is on Adams Street south of Woodlawn and is one of the
city’s most neglected parks over the last several years. The
playground equipment at the park was minimal and what was there was
not in good repair.
Melrose is the first of several city parks to be restored with brand
new playground equipment, soft landing mulch and new sidewalks from
the street to the playground area. There are also two new picnic
tables there for family gatherings or for adults to sit and visit
while the kids play.
At the ribbon cutting Monday evening those in attendance included
City of Lincoln Administrative Assistant to the Council and Mayor
Ashley Metelko, Aldermen Kevin Bateman and Steve Parrot, Mayor Tracy
Welch, Treasurer Chuck Conzo, City Attorney John Hoblit, and Vern
Halsey with the Lincoln Park District.
When the ribbon was strung in front of the playground equipment and
everyone gathered together, Ashley Metelko was asked to be the first
to speak.
Metelko has worked on providing information to the
city council regarding all the playgrounds that are being upgraded
and has also been the primary person overseeing the project from
materials purchases to various stages of installation and work being
done.
Metelko said she wasn’t a public speaker, but she was happy with the
way the park had turned out, she loved the color and the brightness
and thought it was a wonderful improvement.
Next to speak was Alderman Kevin Bateman. Bateman has been on the
parks committee along with Metelko and former alderman Tony
Zurkammer.
Bateman said, he remembered his days of talking about the parks, and
pushing toward getting them upgraded, but there was no money to do
the work. He said that because of the American Rescue Plan Act money
that was granted to municipalities after Covid, the money had been
found to improve the parks and the city’s overall attractiveness.
Alderman Steve Parrott reiterated what Bateman had said that the
city was fortunate to have the funding and that all the city parks
were going to benefit.
Treasurer Conzo agreed with the first two and added that he felt the
city was doing a good thing by prioritizing the city parks.
City Attorney Hoblit also spoke saying that this park in particular
was a huge improvement, and it was a symbol of the dedication the
city has to providing better amenities for constituents.
Before posing for the photo and snipping the ribbon, Mayor Welch was
asked to speak. He said that the others had basically said all that
needed to be said. He wanted to speak up, giving thanks to the
council for supporting this effort and being instrumental in
providing something nice for the neighborhood and the community.
Welch also noted that there was much credit and thanks that needed
to go to the parks committee that included Alderman Zurkammer,
Bateman, and Metelko.
With the speakers finished, the posed picture was taken and the
ribbon on the new playground was cut.
While this playground has been available to the children in the
community, there was one youngster on hand who had the honors of
being the first official guest at the park. He wasted no time in
checking things out, and of course, he had to check out the slide to
make sure it was in good working order.
While the Monday evening ribbon cutting was small in nature, the
Wednesday evening cut was bustling with guests anxiously waiting to
check out the new Central Bark Dog Park.
The dog park has long been a vision of the city and emcee Nila Smith
noted that while it has been a long time coming, once the project
got into the right hands it was a short time getting here.
The park has been a collaborative effort within the city, with the
Street and Alley Department and Superintendent Walt Landers playing
a big role in the completion of this project.
Prior to the cut, Mayor Welch had expressed that he wanted Landers
to be behind the ribbon with Metelko and members of the city
council.
Landers was called to be a part of the group, joining Metelko,
Bateman, Welch, Parrott, Conzo, Alderman Sam Downs, City Clerk Peggy
Bateman, former Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Logan County Tourism Director
Alice Roate, and Karen Castelein with Lincoln Daily News.
Landers was introduced and asked to be the first to speak. Landers
began with a big thank you to the staff of the street department. He
said that the crew had spent a lot of time getting the park to where
it is today. He said there were still some things to do and they
would keep pushing forward.
Downs was the next person to speak. He had brought
his dog Scooter, and the dog was recognized as the only one in the
ribbon cut picture, though not the only dog present.
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Downs said he wanted to thank everyone who had helped and noted that
Jeff and Brenda Short had been very helpful in getting the park
project off the ground. He also recognized Metelko and said she had
been a very, very big park of the project.
Bateman was asked to say a few words and reiterated what he had said
Monday at Melrose, that the ARPA funds had been a key part of the
plan, and the councils support had made it all possible.
Parrott spoke saying he was pleased with the park, and he felt it
was a very worthwhile project for the citizens of Lincoln.
Conzo also congratulated the council and the committee on a job
well-done and added his thanks as well for Jeff and Brenda Short for
their help.
Horn recalled that the dog park had been a vision of an earlier
council and former Mayor Keith Snyder. She recalled there had been a
lot of talk, and she was happy to see that the project finally got
done.
The last person to speak was Mayor Tracy Welch. He noted that there
had been many great comments from the others, that pretty much
covered everything that needed to be said. He added that he too
remembered the council talking about the dog park when he was an
alderman serving with Mayor Marty Neitzel. He said that he was happy
that the council that supported it and to many others including the
shorts and the mayor’s brother and sister-in-law and others.
It was also noted that Brenda Chapman had designed
the logo for the dog park. To bring that name into perspective for
the crowd, Smith relayed that Chapman was the creator behind the
animated movie Brave, a native of Logan County who grew up in the
Beason area and attended the local high school, and that some of the
characters in that movie were named for some of Chapman’s favorite
schoolteachers.
With trivia time over, the countdown was called out and when the
crowd yelled “snip,” Downs and Metelko cut the ribbon.
Guests wasted no time in taking advantage of the dog park and the
doors were opened and the dogs hurried inside the fences for a time
of running and exercising off-leash and of course a little curious
sniffing of the other dogs occupying the space.
The dog park is designed for pet safety with a double entry system.
The first gate brings the pet and person into a small square space
where the door to the outside of the park can be closed securely
behind them. Then there are two choices, the gate on the left opens
to the play area for small dogs weighing less than 25 pounds and the
gate on the right is for larger dogs weighing 25 pounds or more.
There are benches for pet owners to sit and watch their dogs, and
once they are finished running, there is a water fountain outside
the fence designed specifically for dogs.
Landers and said that the fountain is installed, but Illinois
American Water does not have it connected yet. He suggests that for
the first little while, pet owners should bring bottled water and a
bowl for their animals.
There is also a doggie bag station where pet owners
can grab a bag to pick up solid waste deposits by their pet.
Several guests also enjoyed a hot dog and a bag of chips courtesy of
the city before heading on home for the evening.
The dog park rules are as follows:
Park hours are sunrise to sunset seven days a week.
Use Park at your own risk. Owners are solely liable for the actions
of their dog(s). This includes all injuries, damages or loss
connected with the use of this dog park. Owners are subject to state
laws and local ordinances concerning dangerous or vicious dogs.
Dogs must be leashed while entering and exiting the park.
Dog waste must be cleaned up by their owners immediately.
Owners must be with the dog park and supervising their dog with
leash readily available.
Dog handlers must be 16 years of age.
Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at
all times.
Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately.
Dogs should be under voice control.
All dogs must have vaccines as mandated by Logan County Animal
Control.
STRICTLY PROHIBITED
Sick dogs
Aggressive dogs
Puppies under six months
Dogs in heat
Glass Containers
Human & Dog food/treats
No alcohol, no smoking or other use of tobacco products (including
but not limited to cigarettes or vaping devises, pipes, cigars,
snuff or chewing tobacco)
In case of Emergency) dog bite or unsafe behavior) immediately call
9-1-1 for assistance.
Bites or injury must be reported to Logan County Animal Control as
soon as possible.
[Nila Smith] |
