KINGSTON - The Kingston Parks Department has completed many upgrades to parks around town and has several projects in the works, said Ann Miles, a member of the Kingston Town Board and a former member of the parks department.
The department, which formed about two years ago, is a department of the town of Kingston and members have re-dredged the pond and put in a liner, built the island and connected it with a bridge, graded the area, fixed the back stop at Lee Baker Park, fixed playground equipment and improved the grass area in the orchard.
They have also created a beach along the creek in the orchard, started a public walkway next to the creek and built an equipment shed.
"They have made a huge difference in Kingston parks," Miles said.
Upcoming projects consist of putting in an irrigation system in the orchard, putting in top soil and re-seeding the orchard, beginning to build a pavilion in the orchard, erecting split-rail fencing around Lee Baker Park and the orchard, weed control at the softball field and planting trees at Lee Baker Park. Among the trees will be a fruit tree dedicated to the memory of James Kielhach, Miles said.
The parks department also works with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to make sure the pond gets stock with trout every year.
Miles said the department was started because people were starting to do things on their own to improve local parks but there was no organization so this was formed to organize the efforts.
It is made up of 10 volunteers. The department is currently looking for more volunteers and no landscaping experience is required. Those who would like to join can call department Director John Miles at (775) 964-1046.
The department is funded through the town, the county and through fundraisers. It will also be seeking grant funding, Ann Miles said.
The Kingston Town Board gave the department $3,000 out of the FY 2013-14 budget at its March 25 budget workshop, Miles said.
Lander County also allocated $5,000 for the concrete to start the pavilion and $2,750 for parts and supplies for the irrigation system out of its FY 2013-14 budget.
Two fundraisers were held last year - an outdoor market and barbecue and a winter bazaar and will be held in this upcoming year as well to raise funds. A date has not yet been set for this summer's outdoor market and barbecue.
Last year, the outdoor market and barbecue raised more than $1,600 and the bazaar raised $1,000.
The parks department will be holding a town clean-up the first weekend of June and all volunteers are welcome. The event will focus on parks and roadways around Kingston, Ann Miles said. Those who would like more information on it can call John Miles.
[[In-content Ad]]
