Ribbon Cutting Marks Garbutt Park Reopening
(C. Proxmire, May 1, 2015)
The shiny new playground equipment at Garbutt Park is officially getting broken in now that the City of Ferndale has cut the ribbon for the park’s re-opening.
Nestled behind the old Taft School and Digital Learning Center at Allen and Fielding, the park sits perfectly to serve “the Dales” neighborhood.
Garbutt was selected for improvements by the Parks Commission, and the City allocated $99,000 for the purchase of new playground equipment. “We’ve got great new play structures, activity mounds for toddlers, and expanded walking paths,” said Loyd Cureton, Director of Ferndale’s Department of Public Works (DPW). “And there’s a new soccer field in the works.”
Parks and Recreation Director Jill Manchik is excited about the improvements. “The playground is the big attraction, but the park is really for everyone,” she said. “There are passive areas for people to sit and watch their kids or grandkids play, there’s green space. Everyone from babies up to grandparents will enjoy it.”
Special Events Coordinator Michael Lary helped youngsters do the honor as they cut the paper ribbon with a giant pair of scissors.
Getting the park ready for the ribbon-cutting also meant getting neighborhood volunteers to help dismantle the inline hockey rink. Parts from the rink are being used for other rinks in the City.
Ferndale is also working on building a dog park at Wilson Park, and the sale of a pocket park on Saratoga was approved Monday, which will mean the movement of a basketball court and barbeque to Vester Park and an additional $25,000 in the parks fund.
If the Road and Parks Bond passes on May 5, the City is planning improvements in other parks as well. For more information on the Bond proposal see https://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/02/10/ferndale-voters-to-decide-on-funding-for-roads-parks-and-city-services/
Related stories:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/02/10/ferndale-voters-to-decide-on-funding-for-roads-parks-and-city-services/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/02/01/dog-park-plans-in-progress-for-ferndale/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/07/28/from-park-to-possible-parking-ferndale-takes-steps-toward-sale-of-saratoga-park/