Grants support Hopkins park projects
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Installation of new fencing designed to protect the softball and football fields adjoining the Hopkins city park is among the projects for which the Hopkins Community Betterment Club is currently raising funds. Three recent grant awards have moved the organization closer to its goal of raising $45,000, which in addition to the fence project will be used to construct an aggregate-paved walking and running trail.
The Hopkins Community Betterment Club recently got some “foundational” help toward its goal of raising thousands of dollars for proposed improvements to the small north-county community’s municipal park and adjoining football and softball fields.
Associated with the Missouri Community Betterment Association — and working closely with another local civic group, the Hopkins Community Club — HCB recently received a $7,000 grant from the Gary G. Taylor Charitable Trust in addition to two smaller grants from the Harry and Helena Messick Charitable Trust ($3,500) and the Dugdale Charitable Trust Fund ($1,500).
According to Hopkins Community Betterment Club board member Judy Crane, the grants mean the organization is now about halfway to its goal of raising $45,000, which will be used to construct an almost mile-long, aggregate-paved walking and running path around the park in addition to installing security fences at the two sports fields.
In addition to the infusion of grant funds, Crane said the organization has also been raising money on its own account, and took in about $2,000 from a root beer stand at this summer’s Hopkins Picnic as well as a couple of raffles.
Beyond those efforts, the club’s board has applied for additional support through the Gladys M. Rickard Charitable Trust.
Crane said the club’s overall goal is to improve the quality of life for residents of the Hopkins community. She added that the pedestrian path will provide a safe, traffic-free route for walkers and runners of all ages.
The sports field fences, she said, are needed in order to protect improvements made at both facilities while helping guard against vandalism, which has been a problem in the past.
Either project might be considered ambitious in scope for a town of fewer than 550 people, but the current campaign represents only the latest effort in the group’s quest to keep their hometown moving forward.
This summer, HCB made it possible for the shelter house at the city park to be re-wired and also installed four new electrical hookups there designed for recreational vehicles.
Crane said the hope is the hookups will compliment planned expansion next year of a third annual “barn quilt trail” festival similar to the third annual event held last weekend.
Instead of limiting the festival to a Sunday afternoon, Crane said the 2017 gathering is to take place on both Saturday and Sunday and will include a combination swap meet and flea market in addition to this year’s collection of vendor booths.
Other HCB projects have included replacing worn and missing street markers with new street signs and house numbers.
