ABOVE: Danville Aldermen Tom Hightower and Sherry Pickering lead the way for Monday’s ribbon cutting at the renovated Garfield Park
First it was the new Garfield Pool arriving with the help of COVID relief funding a couple years ago. And shortly after that, the city knew they would be receiving an OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the other major projects they wanted to come to Garfield Park.
After the ribbon cutting marking the occasion late Monday afternoon (Sept 14), Alderman Tom Hightower could not be happier.
AUDIO: It’s a major improvement and a wonderful thing for Ward Three. You know, it’s been many years; and we haven’t had things like this to look forward to. I’m a resident, and you can possibly see my house from here. It’s just a wonderful things to see the community come together, and do a wonderful thing like this.
Danville Seahawks coach Juan Robinson, whose junior football team is benefitting from the new field at Garfield Park; joins Mayor Williams at Monday’s ceremony.
Hightower let Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr know how happy he was that the city got this done. And for Williams himself, it was a shining moment.
AUDIO: This took a lot of work, from a lot of people, for a long period of time. But there are hundreds of kids that use this every day, almost year ’round. So, it just makes me proud to be able to provide this qualify of recreation for them.
Former Danville Alderwoman Brenda Brown joins Mayor Williams at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Both Williams and Director of Public Works Dave Ruwe mentioned that the major piece of playground equipment, made by Gametime Equipment in Chicago; is right now only one of two exactly like it in the country. The other one’s in Dallas.
AUDIO: We’ve got a few things that we’ll be touching back up in the fall; some grass seeding and stuff like that. But, the park is all put together, and sidewalks are connected everywhere. And getting out here today, and seeing all the kids playing on it, is a really awesome thing.
Operations Administrator for the project Josiah Claypool agreed; and also said yes, there’s some more to do.
AUDIO: It feels good to have that part of it completed. We’ve got some trees that we’re going to put around the walkway, and we’ll put our stamp on it.
