KUHS park project moves toward fruition
From our weekly issue dated March 24, 2010
Rotarian Michael Drevenstedt and IVHS student Tim McCarty helped with the cleanup on Saturday, March 20. (Photos by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
Efforts to establish a community park on a small parcel of land immediately adjacent to the RCC Kerby Belt Bldg. have taken several small steps forward.
The Kerby Union High School Commemorative Park Association has officially adopted articles of incorporation and elected officers to its eight-member board of directors. Members serve on a volunteer basis for three-year terms, and quarterly meetings will be held.
Karen Yanase, of Yanase Jewelers, was elected president of the board; and Jack Heald, of Fordson Home Hostel, will serve as vice president. Bylaws have been adopted, and a bank account, tax identification number and post office box all have been established, Yanase said.
One issue that has long stalled the park project was the lack of liability insurance. But Yanase said that has been provided by Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge, which also is part of the association.
Maintenance of the parcel will be handled four times per year by members of Illinois Valley Interact and College Dreams programs, Yanase said.
Heald said that the group already has had five meetings. He said that he has started planting roses at the site as part of fund-raising efforts for the project.
Other community members are stepping up to try and make the community park a reality. Kenny Houck, business development coordinator for the Illinois Valley Business Entrepreneurial Center at the RCC Kerby Belt Bldg., is serving as liaison to the Josephine County commissioners as the association works toward having the county lease the property to it.
“Most of what we“ve done, we“ve done to satisfy the county,“ Yanase said. “We“re at the final stage of waiting for them to draw up a lease.“
Heald said that the association wanted a 99-year lease, but the county wants it limited to five or 10 years.
Also aiding the association is botanist Christine Gardener. Heald said that Gardener will help with planting indigenous rare plants and flowers at the parcel.
“That“s one of the projects we“re working on,“ Heald said. “I think that would be a wonderful thing to have.“
A draft rental agreement and application also have been drawn for anyone hoping to utilize the site.
The park project has been pursued for years, and Yanase said that she is pleased to see it coming to fruition.
“It“s been a great learning process. I“ve never started board from the ground up or start something like this from the ground up,“ Yanase said. “Once we get the lease with the county, we“ve accomplished our goal and we“ll see what happens. Once it gets cleaned up, it will be a nice place for people to meet.“
The association“s next meeting is set for Wednesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. at the RCC Belt Bldg.
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