Sidney Park Project Update

The Sidney Park Project would like to provide an update regarding the current status of the project. The Project includes a complete remodel of the current Legion Park next to the pond in Sidney. The project grew from a dream shared by Madi Wilkinson and Michelle Weimer. Both ladies work in the physical therapy field and wanted to see a playground all children could enjoy without limitations. The current playground is dated and in much need of renovation.

Recently the Sidney Playground Project has been notified the building cost will be a bit higher than originally projected increasing from $656,000 to $711,000. Material costs for literally everything have risen dramatically, especially steel has seen a 240 percent growth in the last year and will affect this project as well. Due to the predicted rising costs the committee has purchased the equipment at a locked-in price and will arrive sometime this winter.

The playground committee is committed to the initial timeline which is to break ground in late spring of 2022. To date there has been over $500,000 raised which includes the generous gift of $200,000 from the Sidney Community Donor Advised Fund.

Fundraising for the project began in April 2021 and will continue through the coming months till February 2022, with hopes of most of the funding to be secured by the end of the year. Upcoming events include a Movie Night at Peddler’s Corner with Sam and Louie’s on September 25th and October 2nd the 5K/10K Oktoberfest Run funds will be donated to the Park Project. The Sidney Park Project is hosting a Casino Night Event on New Years Eve at Hillside Golf Course, look for tickets to go on sale soon.

The mission of the Sidney Park Project is to promote inclusion, exposure and exploration through play and to create a safe space with playground equipment and ground surfaces allowing all abilities and ages to come together to foster community and play.

We would like to send a special thank you to everyone who has contributed to the project so far. We are grateful for the support of the community and the committee who have given this project life!

All community members interested in lending their time, talent or treasure to this transformative community project are encouraged to reach out to members of the Sidney Park Project Committee – Madi Wilkinson or Ally Benzel at [email protected].

Donations can be made to the Sidney Park Project through the website, http://www.sidneyparkproject.com or mail checks to Sidney Park Project, PO Box 296, Sidney, NE, 69162.

For questions email, [email protected].

Madi Wilkinson

President, Sidney Park Project