News Release: Public Gives Input, Sid Allen Announces Involvement in Fun Zone Renovation
January 22nd, 2014Late last year, the City of Midland along with the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF) began collecting feedback from residents regarding the planned renovation of Midland’s Fun Zone. The public playground, located within Plymouth Park, is scheduled for major upgrades and repair during the first week of June 2014.
According to MACF President and CEO Sharon Mortensen, the survey responses made it clear that the playground is a valued and well-used community asset.
“In additional to the feedback received at two public meetings, responses to the online survey have poured in with a variety of excellent ideas,” said Mortensen. “This is very much a community project, and we appreciate all the input.”
Mortensen says that the most suggested ideas include fencing around the perimeter of the playground, more picnic tables and benches, a canopy for shade, and more colorful interactive structures for young children to explore.
A meeting with contractors is scheduled for the end of January, in which decisions will be made on what new features to add, as well as the total cost of upgrades and repairs.
Sid Allen, recently retired President & CEO of the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced his involvement as chair of the fundraising committee for the project.
“Years ago, I was involved in a similar playground build in Longview, Texas called ‘Kid’s View’,” said Allen. “Now that the Fun Zone is 20 years old and showing its age, I thought I would use that experience to help raise funding so we can upgrade our playground for the next generation.”
Along with the fundraising committee, volunteers are being sought for a variety of roles to help plan the renovation, which is estimated to take five days and will begin on June 5th, 2014. Those interested in serving on a planning committee may contact MACF at 989.839.9661 or the City of Midland Parks Department at 989.837.3300.
