Friends
of Gillham Park is a small group of friends and neighbors from
Hyde Park, Squier Park, and Manheim who have been meeting to discuss
possible fundraising avenues to complete the under five play area
and spray park in Gillham Park. During these discussions
we thought that a group to focus solely on the needs of the park
was in order. Hence the formation of "Friends of Gillham
Park".
The
formation of "Friends", with the involvement of all
the surrounding neighborhoods, allows us to focus on the park
with the support of a broader range of neighbors outside of
Hyde Park who will also use the park. We
have presented our mission to the
Squier Park,
Union Hill, an Southmoreland Neighborhood
Associations and
have gotten
support from those organizations.
Members of our group are in the process of presenting our mission
and requesting support of the Manheim, Rockhill and Old Hyde
Park neighborhoods.
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Friends of Gillham Park
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Our
Next Event
Volunteers
needed for Santa's Wonderland, Dec. 5
Friends
of Gillham Park will again be partnering with the City of Kansas
Cit Department of Parks and Recreation for the annual Santa's
Wonderlan to be held from 6:00 p.m. Dec. 5 in Gillham Park. We're
expecting hundred of kids will be there to belt out Christmas
carols, sip hot chocolate, make holiday crafts and share their
Christmas wish lists with jolly Ol' St. Nick. FOGP does need your
help in making sure this event is a huge success. We're looking
for volunteers to staff game booths, set up prior to the event
and help clean up afterwards. If you are interested, please e-mail
us at fogpkc@gmail.com.
2008
Events
December
5
Santa's
Wonderland
Friends
of Gillham Park Receives Commissioner's Award
On
Friday, Jan. 18th, Friends of Gillam Park was awarded the Commissioners
Award by the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Board
of Commissioners for service to the community.
It was a wonderful evening and truly exciting. The award could
not have been possible without the overwhelming support of the
surrounding community, the hardworking board members, our friends
and true partners at Parks and Recreation, each and every volunteer
that has put in countless hours picking up trash, manning events
and each person who comes to the meetings and event attendees.
Since
it’s inception, Friends of Gillham Park has strived to provide
a positive atmosphere to foster the growth and change our neighborhood
needs. We have all successfully shown the city that midtown is
a place worthy of their time and attention. Each successful hurdle
only strengthens our position and betters our neighborhoods and
improves Kansas City as a whole.
It is an honor and a pleasure to share this award with each and
every one of you!
2007
Santa's Wonderland Highlights
Playground
Dedication Highlights
A
good time was had by all who attended the Gillham Park Playground
dedication and Fireworks! A big thank you goes
out to KC Parks and Recreation and our Wonderful Sponsors for
making the event a complete success!
The
evenings festivities were started by Mark McHenry, Director -
Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Other speakers included
KC Parks boardmember Aggie Stackhouse, Greg Hugeback from the
Gillham Road Improvement Project, 4th District Councilperson Jan
Marcasson and Friends of Gillham Park representative Stacey Roske.
Mary
McHenry
Aggie Stackhouse
Greg Hugeback
Jan Marcasson
Click
on the videos to hear Friends of Gillham Park representative Stacey
Roske's remarks and see the ribbon cutting!
Now
let's get the party started! Children (and their parents)
enjoyed a giant moonwalk and slide, face painting, carnival games,
the cool KC Police cruiser, sno-cones, fireworks and the playground!
Eddie
Penrice - Manager, Special Events KC Parks and Recreation (shown
here with Mark McHenry and Steve Lampone - Deputy Director) was
our DJ!
A
wonderful evening capped off by a BEAUTIFUL display of fireworks
- Thank you KC Parks and Recreation!!!
Thank
you to everyone that attended! And thank you to
our wonderful sponsors and volunteers!
Gillham
Park to Receive Upgraded Care!
Friends
of Gillham Park were thrilled to hear on Friday, July 27th that
thanks to a private donation from the Ward Family and Russell
Stover Candies that Gillham Park along with Theis Park would be
the beneficiary of upgraded care and maintenance. The same
maintenance provided to Loose Park and Ward Parkway.
We
are so excited! Thank you to the Ward Family and Russell
Stover Candies! The following is a letter
from our board, a link to the press Release from Parks and Recreation
and the story published in the Kansas City Star on Saturday, July
28th.
If
you haven't been by the park recently - stop by! The
playgrounds are nearly complete (minus the water fountain) and
you will likely see your neighbors enjoying a quiet read or conversation
as their children play.
There
is still more work to do, but Gillham Park is well on its way
to becoming the shining start is once was!
A
Message from our Board
Dear
Friends and Family,
As you may already know, a group of neighbors started a little organization
a just over a year ago to convince the city and Parks and Recreation
to complete the renovation of our park. Since June of 2006,
we have succeeded in putting $500,000 of PIAC funding into actual
construction of 2 entirely new playgrounds at 41st
and Gillham Road . We have successfully caught the attention
of City Councilmember’s, Parks Board Members and other vital Parks
and Recreation employees; started and sustained a thriving Partnership
with Parks program that successfully meets to clean up the park
once a month; produced 2 neighborhood events bringing over 300 people
back to the inner city park and garnered media attention.
Through these ends we have reduced crime, and increased visibility
of families living and thriving in the city.
The
Board of Friends of Gillham Park are very pleased to share the
attached press release with you. Through a gift from the
Ward Family Foundation and Russell Stover Candies, Gillham Park
and Theis Parks will receive the same upgraded landscaping and
maintenance as Loose Park. If you have been to Loose Park
in the last few years, you know that it is a beautiful park reflective
of the neighborhood around it. We are very excited about
this development in our own neighborhood.
We want to express our deep
gratitude to
the Ward Family Foundation and Russell Stover Candies for
this amazing gift which has come about through the hard work and
dedication of Parks and Recreation. Specifically we
want to thank The Parks Board, Steve Lampone, Mark Bowland,
Kevin Evans and the countless other Parks and Recreation employees
who work tirelessly on behalf of Kansas City's parks.
We would also like to thank each and every member of the
community that supports Gillham Park through volunteerism, clean
ups and general positivity. Your
hard work is paying off!!!
Thank you!
Best Regards,
The Board Members of Friends
of Gillham Park
Roxanna Shaffe, Pam Lyne,
Stacey Roske, Amy Crouse, Karen Mell and Patrick Murphy
Theis and Gillham parks will receive the same kind of enhanced
landscaping and maintenance as Loose Park and Ward Parkway, thanks
to a private donation.
A gift from the Ward Family Foundation and
Russell Stover Candies Inc. will pay for litter collection five
days a week, three applications of fertilizer a year, post-emergent
weed control, aerification of the turf, overseeding twice a year
and maintenance of trees and shrubs.
The Kansas
City Parks and Recreation Department tries to mow the parks
weekly, but the donation will ensure that happens. The biggest
difference will be in the condition of the grass and the maintenance
of the trees and shrubs, said Steve Lampone, deputy director of
the parks department.
The value of the new gift was not disclosed,
but the improvements to Loose Park in the past four years have
been in the millions of dollars. It was named one of the country’s
“top 10 lawns for family fun” in 2004 by the Briggs & Stratton
lawn mower engine company.
Lampone called the new gift “astounding.”
“This will allow us to maintain two of our heavily used and historic
parks at an improved level beginning in the spring of 2008,” he
said.
Theis Park covers nearly 14 acres on the
north side of Brush Creek between Locust and Oak streets. Gillham
Park covers nearly 59 acres on both sides of Gillham Road from
39th Street to Brush Creek Boulevard.
A
Letter from our President
May
22, 2007
Dear
Friends and Neighbors,
We
have Good News!, PIAC Funding was approved for construction
of an Under Five Playground in Gillham Park. That means
the $200,000 application that Friends of Gillham Park requested
in June of last year, is now ready and waiting to build Phase
II of the Park. (For those of you who may have missed
it, Phase I is already WELL underway!).
After
PIAC funding was approved there was a concern that Phase II
be allowed to proceed immediately without delay.
To that end we were told a change order would be required.
Members
of Friends of Gillham Park then attended the last few meetings
of the Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners.
At that first meeting we presented a letter to Mark McHenry
– Director of the Parks Board asking that all measures be
taken to ensure the timely completion of the park construction.
From
there, we were emailed plans for the Under 5 Playground structure,
which we forwarded on to as many people as possible. It
was very important to get neighborhood input and approval
so that the plan could be on the Board docket and subsequently
approved. Thank you to each and every one of you who
took the time to email Scott Overbay with your overwhelming
support. The Parks Department was impressed with the
response they got via email.
Because
of your involvement and emails, the structure proposal was
placed on the docket for the May 1st Board meeting
and unanimously approved. The change order is in effect.
What
Happens Now? Friends of Gillham Park will meet with our
new 4th District City Councilwoman Jan Marcason
to ask that the encumbrance be left out of the city audit
so that construction can finish in time for the July 4th
holiday. You will receive an update on that meeting soon.
In
the mean time – Mark your calendars for the park dedication
and 4th of July community picnic and celebration. Friends
of Gillham Park is teaming up with KC Parks and Rec to bring
music, games and fun to a midtown 4th of July! Things
we have in store – Moon walk, carnival games, kid’s bike parade,
fireworks and much much more! Please contact us if you
have any ideas or would like to volunteer your time!
It
is the amazing support and positive input of friends, neighbors
and residents that has produced so much success in the park. Each
time you drive by the park and eventually when you get to
use the playground, you should know that you made
it happen!
Thank
you for continuing to support Friends of Gillham Park!
We
hope to see you at this Saturday's clean up!
Best
Regards,
Roxanna
Shaffe
President
- Friends of Gillham Park
Friends
in the News
On February 20th, Friends of Gillham Park was highlighted in a
special publication in the Kansas City Star focusing on the Parks
and Recreation department.Friends of Gillham Park was chosen as a model example of
a volunteer organization working with Parks and Recreation.
Just
in case you missed it, Click
here for a pdf copy of the entire Kansas City Parks and Recreation
insert. You will find it very informative with information
on parks happenings and a calendar of events for the spring and
summer!
Construction
on the Over Five Playground has begun!
Whoo
Hoo! We are so excited! Construction has
begun on the Over Five Playground! We have no estimated
time of completion, however, Mark Bowland, Kansas City Parks
and Recreation Manager of the Central Region, tells us that
we should see progress almost every day!
Thank
you KC Parks and Recreation!
Under
Five Playground Funding Gets Green Light from PIAC Committee
The
PIAC Committee has recommended to the City Council that the GRIP
requested under-five playground be funded. It is expected
that Councilman Glover will support the request.
A
BIG thanks goes out to all of you that supported this request
by gathering petitions and speaking in support of this request
at the June 2006 PIAC hearing.
When
approved this will be the 12th Gillham Road/Harrison Parkway PIAC
request funded since the inception of PIAC twenty years ago.
More
Exciting Happenings Just Around the Corner
2007 promises to be even more exciting for us and you.In January our new board was formed.We are working closely with KCNA (Kansas City Neighborhood
Alliance) to create an organization that is effective and reflective
of the community we serve.Keep checking back for board profiles.
Currently, Friends of
Gillham Park is working towards establishing a Field of Interest
fund with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.This is a very exciting step for us and you as it makes
our fundraising efforts legitimate and is the last PIAC requirement
we needed to meet.This fund will help us as the new round of PIAC meetings commence.Friends of Gillham Park has successfully met the community
involvement and stewardship requirements.We have lots of community support and pledges of monetary
support from area businesses.All of these things work together to make our case to the city,
committee and Parks and Rec to provide us a usable park within
walking distance of our homes!
2006
Recap
June
A
group of concerned residents attends PIAC meetings to ask
for money to complete Gillham Park.They learn that PIAC expects to see community involvement
and stewardship, and outside funds.Friends of Gillham Park is born.
July
First
Park Clean -up
Established Partners in Parks Program with Kansas
City Parks and Recreation
Invited to meet Councilman Nash at city Hall.Also met with Councilman Glover to discuss park and
funding.
August
National Night Out Against Crime a completely free
community event covered by Channel 4 that brought nearly 350
people to Gillham Park..
Presented requests for funding to Citywide PIAC
Committee.Nearly
20 families attended from surrounding neighborhoods.
December
Santa’s Wonderland – a partnership with KC
Parks and Rec.
Congratulations
to our Dollhouse Winner - Sadie Garrison!
October
2006 - Ground prepared for new playground
A
Big THANK YOU to all of the neighbors that came to show their
support for Gillham Park at the City Wide PIAC Meeting on Thursday, August 24th at 6:30PM at the GEM Theater
At
the meeting Friends of Gillham park submitted and presented
a combined request for the funding of
A
SPRAYPARK, an UNDER FIVE PLAYGROUND, SHELTERS and GRILLS to
the PIAC (Public Improvements Advisory Committee).
News
and Updates
THE PARK IS BEING WORKED ON!!!!!! Many of you
have all seen the demolition going on down at the park.
Dirt and trees being hauled away, orange construction fence
going up! This is the beginning of our new park.
From here, the city will start soliciting bids. The city
bid process is lengthy, but basically, when all is said and
done, the new five and older playground will start going into
the park in 6-8 weeks.
A
BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE NATIONAL NIGHT
OUT AGAINST CRIME!!!!
Due
to neighborhood support of Gillham Park and the Friends of
Gillham Park we've really been able to make significant progress
toward bringing attention to the park since our inception
in early June 2006! The following are a few of
the highlights:
Friends
of Gillham Park have partnered with Parks and Recreation
by joining the Partners in Parks Program. Through
this program "Friends" pledges their support (and
muscle) to help maintain Gillham Park
We've
received pledges of financial support from six neighborhood
businesses
We've
received cash and pledges of financial support from private
individuals
Political
Attention - Senator Charles Wheeler, as well as, Councilmen
Nash and Glover have expressed their support
We
continue to get more and more surrounding neighborhood support
Media
Attention - We've had two spots on Channel 4
Join
The Friends of Gillham Park
Get
regular updates on park activities, news and more!
It is simple - just provide us with your email address in the
box below. We promise not to constantly fill
your in-box or sell/give out your information.
Join
Our Mailing List
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