Published: April 07, 2009 10:35 pm         

Gold shovels hit the dirt at Waukomis Town Park

Tuesday morning, gold shovels hit the dirt and work on Waukomis Town Park was under way.

Community members and children gathered at the location for the old park to see the start of the new park.

Wheatland Resource Conservation and Development wrote a grant to get money for the park and was awarded a $24,500 grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation to purchase new playground equipment.

“Lowe’s continues to look forward to what we can do for surrounding communities,” said Robert Allen, manager of the Enid Lowe’s store.

Equipment includes a large handicapped-accessible structure, borders and safety surfacing. The equipment being installed in the playground was chosen by the children of Waukomis.

“The kids got to vote on four structures. They have a feeling of ownership and will take care of it,” said Jeanne McCulloch, Wheatland RC&D project assistant and grant writer.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, volunteers from the community and Vance Air Force Base got right to work on installation of the playground equipment. As soon as the crowd moved out, volunteers began unwrapping equipment, putting it together and digging post holes.

Vance 2nd Lt. Scott Willis and others from the base volunteered their time to help install the playground equipment. They are on casual status, either having completed pilot training and awaiting their new assignments or getting ready to begin pilot training.

“I hang out at Little Bit of Seattle. I heard about it there,” Willis said. “They needed manpower. I said, ‘I know a room full of casual lieutenants.’ Word spread quickly. We talked about only having eight out here, but I think there are 10. They wanted to come out here and help. We are really happy to help.”

“They have generously donated their time. We really appreciate them,” said McCulloch.

Posts were set in concrete Tuesday, and construction of the play equipment structure will continue today.