Fitness park receives another donation, construction expected soon

Staff report

NorthWestern Energy recently donated $3,000 to a project the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line has been planning for several years and expects to start constructing this spring, a memorial children's fitness park in memory of Levi Lund.

The donation comes in addition to more than $4,000 in memorial funds directed to the park after the loss of one of NorthWestern's employees, a press release says.

The Memorial Fitness Park for Kids was inspired by donations to the club after the death of Lund, son of Connie and Larry Lund, at age 26.

The initial goal was to provide a park-like setting with a climbing feature. This past winter Native Stringer Landscape Studio and SMA Community Studio donated a park design to the club after coming in and holding several design workshops with club members.

After asking the members what they would like, the studios designed a plan that includes a fully climbable nature-inspired central play structure with cave features.

The play equipment in the park will have several features that are ADA accessible, including, a cave, oodle-swing and omni-spinner which were added to encourage inclusive play and are fully accessible for students of all abilities.

It also includes a raised garden planter area in which members will be able to grow vegetables which they can use to create healthy snacks in the teaching kitchen as well as provide additional resources for meals at the club.

Last year, the club served more than 36,000 meals to children throughout the school year and the summer meal program.

The park will replace the asphalt area with an area intended to promotes health and fitness for the children of the community. Since the recent expansion to the building was completed, the club has not had to cap its membership and with more than 210 children attending daily, the outdoor space is well-used, the release says.

Future memorial funds made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line will be used for the park maintenance and upkeep. People can contact Gal Phillips at 265-6206, ext. 310, or [email protected] to find out more about the Memorial Fitness Park for Kids or ways to donate.