mayor

June: A Banner Month for Good News In Wilmore (July 97)
WHAT IS WILMORE? (June 97)
When You Need to Risk...Risk It ! (May 97)

Places for People

"Oh no, not another parks and recreation article." Well, I promise this is the last one in 1997. Early next year we will begin building a new park for the Wilmore community. It will be located on the 32 acre site on the property known as Northwest Park, land donated to the City by Ichthus Ministries, Inc. We also will have $200,000 donated by Ichthus, for helping to develop this wonderful new place to play.

This park will be multi-use and multi-generational and hopefully will beckon everyone.

We need your help! We need a commitment from you to help design, build and maintain your park. Your input for design of the programs that will follow and activities that will take place there are crucial for this place to be your place.

This process lends credence to the argument that people are more likely to care for something they've helped plan and create. This park must be connected to our community. This connection begins by putting the park user first. To do this, park planners have to be willing to really listen to park users and ask what you need instead of making decisions on their own. We have had several plans presented to the City Council, but now it's time for you to help us "vision" this dream.

We hope to use a "benefit-based" approach to plan programs and facilities. You know how many dollars we have for the project and now we need you to tell us what you want for you, your children, and your parks.

Once there is a clear community vision and plan, we will begin construction. The facilities, programs, and activities that can be created are limited only by the imagination and your interest in being involved.

Want to serve on a steering committee that will make a difference? Call me if you want to volunteer and join us to build an important place for people.

--Harold L. Rainwater, Mayor