Bellwood Heights Will Get New Park

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new family park or tot lot in the Bellwood Heights subdivision took place on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. Family parks or tot lots are small size parks of various sizes that are built to serve the immediate neighborhood around them. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the park site that is located off of S. 5th Way in the Bellwood Heights subdivision. Bellwood Heights is a 279 unit single family residential subdivision off Reiman Road that began construction in 2002 and is almost completely built-out.

The new park is part of a unique public/private partnership effort initiated several months ago in response to concerns by residents regarding limited public park areas in the neighborhood. The City of Ridgefield has worked with Sun Country Homes, Inc., Wubben Brothers, Inc., Gray and Osborne Engineering, Inc. and neighborhood residents to develop the park. The park is being built by private donations from Sun Country Homes, Inc. and Wubben Brothers. Sun Country Homes, Inc. is paying fro and installing a play structure, sport court with basketball hoops, benches, walking path and fencing. Wubben Brothers, Inc. is donating the earthwork. Gray and Osborne Engineering, Inc. is donating the engineering services to produce required engineering and landscape plans.

Kevin Snyder, Community Development Director, said: "The City of Ridgefield is extremely grateful to Sun Country Homes, Inc., Wubben Brothers, Inc. and Gray and Osborne, Inc. for stepping forward to work with the City and the neighbors on this important community project. Their generosity and community spirit has made this new park possible. The City also appreciates the hard work and dedication of the neighbors who have worked with us on the important project. This new park is a fulfillment of the City's on-going efforts to create new park facilities in the City that will enhance our citizen's quality of life."

The City expects the new tot lot park to be open for use in 30-45 days. The City is working separately with other private parties and neighbors in the Bellwood Heights and adjoining Heron Ridge subdivision to develop a larger neighborhood park at the northern junction of the two adjoining developments. This public/private partnership currently involves neighborhood residents, the City, Cascade West Development, Inc., Holt Homes, Inc., Wubben Brothers, Inc. and Hopper Dennis Jellison PLLC. This approximately 1.5 acre new neighborhood park as currently designed would offer City residents a sport court with basketball hoops, a walking path, on-site parking, a restroom facility and grass open space. The development of this park is currently planned to take place over the next six months depending on weather conditions.

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