March 29, 2024 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Fundraising planned for Splash Pad

Former Mayor BJ Hackler used to talk about three things when talking about why people should move to St. Joseph.

The schools, the strong community ties and the parks.

Now, plans are underway to honor Hackler at the Woodard Sports Complex with a splash pad bearing his name.

A committee consisting of Julie Hendrickson, Nora Maberry, and Jen Wagner are starting plans to fundraise for the project.

Committee chair Hendrickson said she thought funding the project through fundraising was important.
“I want the community to take ownership of this,” she said.

Hendrickson said Catlin has a splash pad that was funded all through donations. The cost for a splash pad and installation is $100,000.

The committee is planning to pay for door hangers that will enable people to mail donations back to the village hall for the splash pad.

Hendrickson said she would like to see residents volunteer to install the splash pad and the concrete needed, much like they did when the playground at the sports complex was installed.

Hendrickson said she thought Hackler would be excited about the idea of bringing more activities to town for children and their families.

“He was always looking for ways to grow the community and do things for the children in town, it’s the perfect way to honor him,” said Hendrickson. “He was very instrumental in getting the Woodards to donate the land for that park.”

Hendrickson said the committee is looking at several options for the splash pad including a baseball and football water feature, water rings for children to run through and a mushroom that would spray sheets of water.

“It will be a draw for people,” Hendrickson said. “It’s something for the community that isn’t just a ball diamond. It would be for everyone.”

Hendrickson said the goal is for the fundraising to be completed by Fall 2022 with the project completed by Spring 2023. Donations can be dropped off at village hall with the subject line “splash pad.”

The Committee is discussing other fundraising ideas beyond just asking for donations. Some ideas include spaghetti dinners and selling T-shirts. Anyone with fundraising ideas should reach out to Hendrickson at village hall.

Banner
Related Posts

Doctor’s love of medicine started at early age

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

St. Joseph resident Dr. Jeanelle Murphy fell in love with medicine in the oncology wing at the Children’s Hospital of...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Jan. 11, 2021

January 11, 2022

January 11, 2022

Village administrator Joe Hackney saying they need to have more cash on hand in the accounts instead of CDs because...

Weekend Family Fun Guide

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

April 19Village of Ogden Adult Easter Egg Hunt 8 p.m. The Village of Ogden holds an adult egg hunt that...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

Senior Spotlight…Jenna Albrecht

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Jenna Albrecht, who is a...

Talk of the Town….. with Gabe Clements

September 5, 2019

September 5, 2019

Every week we ask a village trustee, mayor, school board member or administrator three questions. This week we talked to...

Philo Exchange Bank holds meeting to address concerns

March 1, 2022

March 1, 2022

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges wants residents near a proposed location for Philo Exchange Bank to know she is not in favor...

10 things you don’t know about me … Matt Walsh

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

Matt Walsh with Engaging Entertainment is will be DJing at the Wagner Signs and Graphics Anniversary Celebration. We asked Matt...

St. Joseph Chamber holding Little Prince and Princess contest

June 29, 2022

June 29, 2022

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is looking for children to participate in the Little Prince and Princess Contest. Children...

VeoRide hopes to expand to St. Joseph

February 11, 2019

February 11, 2019

Soon there could be shareable bikes in St. Joseph—if VeoRide has it way. Linda Jackson, spokesperson for VeoRide said the...

Willowdale Winter Wonderland to open tonight

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

The Willowdale subdivision north of St. Joseph has created a winter wonderland. Resident Lacey Smith organized the multi-night event which...

Fall garage sale dates announced

April 22, 2021

April 22, 2021

The St. Joseph Community Fall Garage Sales will take place September 9, 10 and 11. Listings can be sent to...

‘It’s probably the biggest event, the biggest natural disaster we have had’

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

Assistant Public Works Director Luke Fisher has never seen anything like it. “It’s probably the biggest event, the biggest natural...

Registration open for electronics recycling event

September 9, 2019

September 9, 2019

Residents in St. Joseph, Homer, Royal, Ogden and unincorporated Champaign County can now register for the county-wide electronic recycling event....

Eagle Scout project by Smith set to help bikers on Kickapoo Rail Trail

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Will Smith wants to help bike riders along the Kickapoo Rail Trail. His Eagle Scout Project will do just that....

Comments
Leave a Reply