City finishes park project

Summer fun has just begun at the Clarendon City Park. Thanks to the cooperation and combined efforts of citizens and organizations, a shared vision of building a park that Clarendon can be proud of has been fulfilled.

“A lot of citizens have commented on how nice it looks,” City Administrator John Webb said. “Young mothers are grateful that they now have a place they can take their toddlers to take out their high energy.”

One of those moms is Meghan Gribble, who likes to take her daughter to the park.

“I’m really glad the city put the new playground in,” Gribble said. “It’s where my daughter loves to play, and we go there often.”

Improving the park was definitely not a walk in the park. It took a total of three years for the park to appear as it does now; one full year of research, paperwork, approvals and disapprovals, and two years of labor. The city received a grant for almost $40,000 towards the project. This covered costs for necessities such as new playground equipment, picnic tables, grills, trees, plants, shrubs, tree and telephone pole removal, and new lights.

“We have made these improvements because we want citizens to have a nice, shaded place to meet,” Webb said. “It’s so nice when people get out and meet their neighbors.”

In addition to the grant, there were also many donations given towards the park. All of the following donated to the project: Bobbie Kidd from Greenbelt Water Authority, Alma from Home Depot, Johnny Floyd from Floyd’s Automotive, Earl Hartman from J&W Lumber, Mark White from Wallace Monument, Joe Fraust from BNSF, Nancy Breedlove from NVB Playground Equipment, Greg from Pampa Concrete, and Jimmy Cobb from AMA TechTel.

There were also many locals who donated their labor, such as: Mark Lutrell, Connie Sparks, Kelly Hill, Marcus Smith from PRPC, Roxana Eli from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Roy Williams, Boy Scout Troop 433, John Webb, and city employees. Locals who donated cash or tangible donations were: Vernie Ford, Duane and Wanda Nichols, John and Jeannie Molder, Jim Riley, and Sara SoRelle.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all the locals and organizations who have donated towards this project,” Webb said.

Among renovations and additions to the park, there is a new play area called Tot Town. According to City Clerk Jeannie Molder, Tot Town was the idea of former city superintendent, the late Jim Roberts, who wanted a place for his toddler grandchildren to play.

“Jim asked me to ask the board to pursue it, so I did, and it just went from there,” Molder said. “I don’t think anything does my heart better than to see that playground full of kids.”

As far as the grant is concerned, improvements to the park are complete. But that doesn’t mean that there are no ideas for the future in progress. Webb says that possible plans for the park include a waterfall at the entrance, solar lights, and decorating the park for holidays. Plans for the 1908 trussle bridge have not been finalized yet.

“Making the park beautiful makes it a focal point in Clarendon,” Webb remarked. “I really think that with the help of citizens we can bring back community pride into Clarendon, because that is important.”

All citizens are encouraged to take pride in the park, and
not to destroy something that has taken a lot of time and effort to look so nice.

“Help and support from Clarendon citizens in giving back that community pride is appreciated,” Webb said. “We want to show what a beautiful town Clarendon really is, and how is has so much opportunity to expand into the future.”