New “Hope’s Playground & Park” planned for southwest Faulkton
June 26, 2017
Hope is defined as a feeling that what one desires will happen – expectation, anticipation, optimism.
Hope is an important component to a person’s recovery when diagnosed with cancer. And that is just what a new project in the southwest part of Faulkton hopes to convey.
Hope’s Playground and Park is being planned for a small lot just one-half block south of the Faulkton Area Medical Center. The timing is quite appropriate considering the new addition expanding FAMC will include cancer chemotherapy treatments when it opens later this year.
The seed money for the project is being donated by Beth Deiter, a 25-year cancer survivor this year, and the lots have been donated by FAMC who owned the land. “I always felt that if I made it to 25 years as a cancer survivor that I wanted to do something special and meaningful,” stated Beth. “With the generous donation of FAMC, my vision is coming true.”
A committee has been selected to oversee the project. They include Beth Deiter, Trevor Cramer from the Faulkton Development Corporation, Rev. Bill Hoffman from the Quality of Life group, Judy Grabinski as a representative of the four daycares that operate within a four block radius of the future park, and Dawn M. Melius, a cancer survivor and a family business owner of Common Sense Manufacturing, which has been a generous donor to cancer projects in the past.
The fenced-in park plans are to include a bathroom facility, a small area with covered picnic tables, a covered bench swing for those wanting to relax, read, or watch their children, and playground equipment. The wish list, which will depend on the success of additional fundraising, includes a wheelchair accessible swing, a mommy-and-me baby/toddler swing, and possible outdoor interactive musical instruments along with a small amount of landscaping to promote the “serenity” of the park. “We plan to incorporate some new and unique equipment not found on the other park or playgrounds in Faulkton,” indicated the committee.
The playground and park hopes to attract FAMC patient families who wait while chemotherapy infusions are being administered or who just need a break from the hospital when visiting ill family and friends. It would be close by so hospital employees could enjoy an outdoor space to eat lunch or take breaks when the weather is nice. Also, near to the park are the assisted living and healthcare facilities should family members want to take loved ones on an outing outdoors or to watch the children playing on the playground equipment.
Having a number of families with young children near the park, many grandparents in the neighborhood with grandchildren who live in the area and visit, four daycares within four blocks of the future park, as well as a greenspace for the new housing development to promote for its new occupants, the park and playground should prove to be a welcome addition. In an effort to work toward items on the “wish list”, a fundraising campaign is being organized. Other possibilities such as grants are being looked into as well. The beginning leg of this effort will include an ad in next week’s Faulk County Record. It will give individuals, families or businesses a chance to make a donation in honor of or in memory of a loved one who has battled cancer or for those who just want to make a donation to the project. Donation cards will also be available soon at Faulkton businesses and at the All-School Reunion registration at the school on Saturday, July 1 and at the tent on Sunday, July 2.
“Our hope is that people will want to contribute to a project that honors local or family cancer survivors, honors those who have passed, and also provides hope to the families and friends who have been touched by cancer in their lives. All funds will stay local and be used for the park project,” stated the committee. Look for the ad in next week’s Faulk County Record.
Article courtesy of the Faulk County Record.