The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Our Parks Have Meaning To Community

by Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher/Owner

4 December 2002

A park sounds like an insignificant thing in life, when you think about the necessity of a warm home, food, clothes, medical care, fire departments, churches, and schools, but a village park is a very important part of a community.

Maybe it is not top on your list, but if you think back over the years from the time you can first remember, I bet you can remember many times when you shared some wonderful moments in your village park.

The park is not about seeing nature and landscaping in a preserved part of a city or town as you drive by, but a park holds some sort of enjoyment or entertainment for family and community.

There may be a playground. It may include fun and adventure such as a theme park. It may have a zoo, swimming pool, or skating rink. There may be timber, creeks, rivers, water falls, or bike and walking paths, maybe even places to rides horses. Some may offer places for sport activities such as volleyball, badminton, baseball, archery, basketball and tennis.

For the most part, the word "park" brings back feelings of fun. To mention only a few, I remember when I was young and played on the cannon, the tetter totter, and was pushed high on the swings.

I remember taking empty Sterzing sacks to the top of the big slide and swiftly zooming down the slide seated on it. I remember riding my pony to the park and giving other children rides.

I remember the community having a fair when I was a child, and competing in the bathing suit contest and others in a variety show.

I remember many delicious meals when the fire department would have a cook-out there for the community. Our church had volleyball, my family had reunions.

Living right across from the park, I was envied by some of my friends.

We played baseball, kick the can, caught lightening bugs, ice skated.

I spent many hours when I was married playing tennis with my children, or taking them to play on the playgrounds.

Many clubs have had picnics in the park in the summer, and for the last several years, we have come together as a community for the Christmas

Lighting Ceremony. A nativity at the corner of the park is lite and those in attendance hear scripture and sing Christmas carols to start off the advent season.

When parents or kids need a break, or when community seems anything but community, the village park is the place everyone feels a part of, and everyone feels welcome. There is no fee to get in, no club to join, no requirements except to enjoy it and leave it in as good as shape as you found it.

Over the years, girls have met their boyfriends, grandparents have shared time with their grandchildren, and friends, class reunions, and clubs have enjoyed fellowship.

People who need a break, or are new to town, or children or teens who need to sort out the pressures he's felt at home or just growing up, has a place to go at the park - no questions asked.

At La Harpe - Summerfest is always fun. At Raritan there is the museum and the ballpark. At Oquawka there is the Delabar State Park used for everything from political get togethers to camping and reunions.

At Biggsville there are Lion's Day BBQs and baseball leagues, and during Heritage Trails, many were busy with activities.

I know Lomax had everything from a helicopter to meals, crafts, games, and rides for kids.

At Stronghurst, a $35,000 grant was received as a gift from the state with the stipulation that the community match the grant in making their improvements.

The money is already being used to enhance the park using a lot of volunteer labor. Already, new playground equipment has been installed and there is more work to be done.

If we all think back through our years at the times we went to a village park, we will probably see it as a time that lifted our spirits and made us all feel better.

We will probably see it as not only good for us personally, but also good for us as a family and as a community.

It's a building tool, and for that reason, it is certainly one thing that we must continue to support.