Work begins on new playground for Pepin Park

Havre Parks & Recreation employees Tuesday afternoon begin erecting the new Odyssey play tower in Pepin Park.

Though the Havre skyline probably won't be affected, there's a new tower going up in the middle of town by next week.

The first phase in an ongoing upgrade to the playground of Pepin Park is scheduled to be completed soon, with the erection of the Odyssey Play Tower, a central unit in a new modular playground.

Havre Parks and Recreation Director Chris Inman said this morning that this week's new equipment will allow future smaller additions to be easier and cheaper to add on.

This first part cost $76,000, which was raised over the past few years with contributions from local parent teacher organizations, a Community Development Block Grant and private donations.

The parks and rec department is holding a fundraiser in the park on Friday, from 10 a. m to 2 p. m., to raise funds toward the project's $30,000 second phase.

Inman said there will be hamburgers, hot dogs, taco burgers and tacos in a bag that people can purchase to support the park.

"People can come down to eat and if anyone wants to make any donations that would be too marvelous, " Inman said.

She added that all donations to the city are tax-deductible donations through a non-profit organization.

For a place as important and frequently used — by residents, schools, and various community organizations — as Pepin Park, Inman said, the park needs this upgrade.

"Most people, when they come to town, come to Pepin Park, " Inman said. "It's just such a well-used park that I think that getting some decent equipment in there is vital to our community. "