Springfield

Springfield's Future Park

Project P.A.R.K.

"People Aggressively Reaching out in Kindness"

Springfield's future park area has begun development with the cooperation of Springfield residents.

When the park property was first acquired by the City of Springfield, students from the Department of Urban and Regional Design at UNL used the land as a park design project. Their concepts were submitted to the City to provide options for the four-phase development of the area.

Two UNO Public Administration students then used questionnaires to survey the citizens of Springfield. Citizens were able to give input on a variety of issues, including uses of the park area and how the development should be funded.

In the most important step in the development of the park, Springfield residents formed a Citizen Park Board, which is responsible for issues like community awareness and participation, fund-raising, and the actual phase-by-phase development of the park.

Volunteers

Community volunteers will perform the fundraising, grant-writing, planting and building, and maintenance of the new park. For information regarding volunteer activities, please contact Angie Carlson at 253-2506.

Donations

The funds used for development of the park will be raised from private donation and in-king support. For information on these types of contributions, please contact Randy Fleming at 253-2847.

Springfield Foundation

Efforts are underway to form a Springfield Foundation, an organization allowing citizens and others to donate tax-free funds to the future park and other municipal projects and activities. The Foundation will also pursue grant-writing opportunities. For information on the Springfield Foundation, please contact Janice LaPlante at 253-3104.

The future site of Springfield's newest park is located just south of Platteview Road, near Springfield Creek. A part of Springfield's Highview Addition, the property was acquired by the City through a tax settlement. As the park will be developed using outside funds, the area will be constructed in four phases, based on fund availability. This development will proceed under the direction of Springfield's Citizen Park Board.

Citizen Park Board Members:

Kevin & Angie Carlson Jared Dostal

Randy Fleming (co-chair) Angie Gourley (co-chair)

Eric Hayes Chuck Johnson

Janice LaPlante Bob & Andie Ledenbach

Bruce Hoffman & Sandy Powell Diane Sullivan Kelly Wills

Volunteers are always needed.....!