The South Park Community Project Group in St. Clairsville is continuing to work toward its goal of bettering the park and, in particular, securing playground equipment for children of the neighborhood, and beyond.
Located adjacent to 103 Clarke Ave., the home of group co-leader Bill Brooks, the group met Wednesday evening to discuss further plans and to receive updates on potential equipment purchases.
“We’re looking at different equipment from a number of places,” Brooks admitted. “We have our feelers out for anybody that wants to get rid of their equipment.”
Brooks noted he’s had some promising talks in that respect, but did not want to divulge anything, neither town nor amount of available equipment, until more information was available.
In the meantime, the SPCPG has formulated a plan to build upon its funding for that equipment once it becomes available.
On Saturday, September 4, a garage sale will be held at 103 Clark Ave., at Brooks’ home, with the proceeds going entirely to the playground equipment fund.
All group members are donating items for the sale, and Brooks invites anyone in the community with an interest in helping the kids Brooks also noted that, if needed, he can go and pick up the items to be sold at the sale.
“We’re going to utilize my entire yard, plus the side yard, and we’re hoping to get people to donate a lot of stuff,” Brooks noted. “Some people have a few good items, but it’s not enough for a full garage sale. But, if they want, they can bring it here and let us sell it and we can use the money for the equipment for the kids.”
Group member Levi Miller is in the process of constructing the first of two picnic tables that will be built and placed at the park.
Brooks noted the group has already raised $560 thanks for the wristband sales at the recent Ohio Valley Rib & Chicken Cookoff held in Wheeling, which Brooks also co-chairs.
Treasurer Linda Bragg is handling the money and is in process of setting up both a bank account and a GoFundMe page for the park for ease of donations.
All sales from the garage sale also will go toward that fund.
Two Groups, One(ish) Goal
Brooks reminded that no matter what the SPCPG is able to come-up with equipment wise, there are two key factors at play.
One, the city, the owner of South Park, must approve it. And two, it must do the installation.
A recent council meeting service director Jeremy Greenwood stated he believes the two groups can work in conjunction. The city is placing a priority on the basketball court itself, which is cracked and in need of new backboards and resurfacing.
“The city said it’s working on the basketball court,” Brooks said. “We’ll do the little things, with the city’s permission, and they can handle the court.
“We don’t want to sink all our money in the court. We’re doing this mostly for the toddlers, and kids up to ages 12-13. That’s who we’re trying to do this for.”
That’s why the group is making plans far beyond just getting the picnic tables and playground equipment to be installed.
Brooks reiterated the commitment to work with area churches, scouting groups, and 4-H groups. Ideally, he’d like to see two organized group activities per week put on at the park. They want to not only get the ball rolling, but keep it rolling.
“We want to be accountable to the people. We don’t want to just put in the playground equipment and walk away,” Brooks said. “We also want to get the kids input and help, because then they will feel a sense of ownership and a stake in the park as well.”
Brooks is looking for some help from the city, however.
The park needs a sign, not only designating that it is, in fact, South Park, but also stating that it closes at 11 p.m. and anyone located after would be considered trespassing.
It also needs portable bathroom facilities, along with garbage cans.
Architect Gabe Hayes is donating his time to the city to come up with conceptual designs for what could be accomplishment and a non-profit he works with could oversee the distribution of funds.
Brooks noted, however, that this group was looking at not only South Park, but also Central Park (behind the rec center) and potentially the walking trails at Memorial Park, which the city maintains.
The SPCPG is focused solely on the renovation of South Park and all its money generated will go only toward that end.
“A difference between us and what the city is trying to do, is we’re going to be accountable to the people for the money we take in and spend,” Brooks said. “We can’t tell the city what to spend the money on or find out who donated what. But we’ll have a list available of all donations that people can view if they want.
“This money will go entirely toward South Park.”
Presently, the South Park group isn’t a 501-3(c) organization yet. They’ve looked into it, but given the cost is close to $2000, it seems counterproductive at present.
Brooks noted that when he worked toward getting the, what was then the Ohio Valley Black Heritage Festival charitable status, the attorney fees were around $1,000 while the government needed around $700 to make it official.
“We’re hoping there is an attorney out there that will want to donate their time since this is for the kids, to help us get 501-3(c) status,” Brooks admitted.
For more information, contact Brooks via Facebook here or call (740) 312-9363.
