Lions Club offers last of its funds to help keep park alive in St. James City
When Cindy Bickford saw that the playground equipment from Kiwanis Park, formerly known as both Maurice Pennock Memorial Park and also Greater Pine Island Lions Club Children’s Park, located on the property of St. James City Civic Association, was up for sale, she knew she had to get involved.
The park equipment had become run-down and unsafe. Bickford, who determined keeping the local playground a necessity, received a call from the Kiwanis Club, which explained that this is what they do and that they would be very interested in helping.
One of the first things established was the maintenance. Mike’s Lawn Service, which had been providing landscaping at no cost, committed to continue. The pest control service was donated by Pine Island Pest Control, and the insurance will be paid by the Kiwanis Club. With park equipment being more expensive than most people likely suspect, it was decided approximately $45,000 would be needed to get this project off the ground.
“So we started raising money,” said Bickford. “The Lion’s Club thought they might have some money left over in their funds but weren’t certain how much.”
With the money from the former local Lion’s Club totaling approximately $12,000, Bickford said she was thrilled when she realized they were on a mission to make the park better than ever. The welfare of children is the heart of Kiwanis, which received $9,992.71 of the check, and the remaining $2,000 went to the Calusa Land Trust, which is working toward the involvement of children in its current program. The decision to install not only playground equipment, but also recreational pieces adults could employ to exercise and enjoy the park along side the neighborhood children, wasn’t far behind.
Bickford reports they received $45,000 between Kiwanis International Children’s Fund, the state level, and local level such as Cape Coral and Pine Island, along with approximately $30,000 from the community, catapulting the project to around $70,000 to date.
“It’s been amazing how much the community has come together on this,” said Bickford, noting the donations from Woody’s Waterside, and Honc Industries performing all the demolition and necessary grading at no cost, in addition to all the other community funding.
Thanks to the Kiwanis Club, the former Lion’s Club, Mary Von Berg’s loyalty and Bickford’s determination, combined with a supportive and generous community, the former, residential grade playground equipment is now being replaced with commercial equipment. This new equipment, said Bickford, is already at the park, awaiting permits and scheduling for installation. The Kiwanis Club has generously agreed to pay for the upkeep, including insurance.
Bickford said she couldn’t imagine anyone purchasing the original equipment, which is fairly dilapidated at this point. Discussion to donate it to a pre-school was quickly dismissed for the same reason. Some of the pieces were recycled, however, such as the Fire Department taking usable equipment for future training.
“The new park is a big plus for everyone,” Bickford said. “It’s going to improve the block, the property, and maybe bring people into the Civic Center.”