An 11-11 Wish for Donations

With progress seen in the construction phase of “Never Forget Park (NFP)”, the committee in charge of the park is launching a new fundraising appeal designed to raise $1,100 per day until Veteran’s Day — November 11.

According to a press release, “Never Forget Park” Construction Phase (curb and gutter and parking lot prep) is finishing this month. Funds for this phase came from generous support from the community, Order of the Eastern Star, Wyoming Community Foundation, The Marget and James Kelley Foundation, and Bridge Street Bargains. The cash expenses used for this phase have essentially depleted the NFP Fund held by the Town of Saratoga.

Emery Penner, Department of Public works director, said “Hundreds of man and equipment hours by the Town crew has been put into the project. This included the hauling and grading of hundreds of yards of crushed asphalt for the parking lot, fine grading over 1,000 square yards of road base in preparation for curb and gutter and installing waterline and power line. To make sure those things happened properly, many hours of staking, planning and project management came from the Town Department Heads. New curb and gutter, a new water line for the future bathroom and irrigation system, and a paved approach to the park are now complete.”

Estimated to cost $182,620, the Landscaping Phase will include irrigation, trees and shrubs, seeding, fence, light posts, benches and sidewalks. The NFP committee hopes for donations and volunteerism to cut the costs of this phase. According to the press release, committee member Joe Parsons has committed to working with the Saratoga Encampment Rawlins Conservation District to provide plantings.

The Amenities and Parking Phase—which includes restrooms, amphitheater and the parking lot chip seal and striping—is planned to be completed next year. The committee has applied for federal Land and Water Conservation Funds for this portion of the project. It is expected these funds will be over half the estimated costs—$560,000—of the final phase.

Stacy Crimmins, NFP committee member, said she hopes that $100 donated by eleven people a day until November 11 will push this project to completion.

Donations for the “11-11 Appeal” can be made by mailing checks with “Never Forget Park” noted in the memo line to either the Town of Saratoga, PO Box 486, Saratoga, WY 82331 or American Legion Post #54, PO Box 1242, Saratoga, WY 82331

For more information, contact the committee at [email protected] or visit www.neverforgetpark.org.