Fundraiser Begins for Atwood Park Project

By Doris Elmore

Where is one of the favorite places to go in town if you want to walk, have a picnic, watch a ball game, watch children play, or just take a book, read and relax? The Atwood Park of course!

After much study and discussion, the Atwood Village Board has approved a Park Development & Fundraising Project for the Atwood Park. This will benefit Atwood residents and those visiting our community. This project will be over a 3-year period and include a new concession building with handicapped restrooms. Also, a pavilion area to be located where the T-ball diamond is currently located and a new T-ball diamond will be built, with volunteer help, across the road west of the current diamond.

The new park project will also include a new playground area to be located next to the concession area. A later phase of the development project will include a large parking area in the new land area north of the new T-ball diamond. The final phase will consist of a dog park and pickleball courts at the north end of the recently acquired land.

The concession/pavilion (they will be attached) will each be 40×40, all under one roof, with the playground next door. The playground will have nice mulch, border and benches so parents can sit and enjoy watching their children play.

The village board is applying for two grants for two different areas of the project. One grant is for the playground for $40,000. The grant will pay for $20,000 (a 50/50 grant). The village will pay their 50% of the grant if it is received.

The village board cannot apply for the pavilion/concession stand OSLAD (Open Space Land and Development) grant until September, 2026. This is a different 50/50 or matching grant for $160,000. If the grant is received, the village will be responsible for $80,000 of this amount.

This is where the Atwood residents come into play. The village would like to offer residents the opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile project that will last for generations to come. Whatever is not raised through private and business donations will be funded by the village.

School will dismiss for the summer very soon, and families will enjoy the park. While this project is in beginning stages, the board is still working hard to have a nice park for residents and guests to enjoy.

Please do what you can to help with this project. Those wishing to donate to this fund to build the concession/pavilion may take their donation to the Atwood Village Clerk’s office. There is no deadline on sending donations. Donors will be recognized by having their names placed on a

Donor Sign to be installed on the Concession Building Wall. The breakdown is as follows:
$100-$249 Team Member
$250-$499 Single
$500-$749 Double
$750-$999 Triple
$1,000-$2,499 Home Run
$2,500- and up Grand Slam

Plans for this year are to proceed with the construction of the new T-ball diamond and get the fundraiser underway.

A fundraising letter was mailed to businesses asking for donations and to partner with the board on this important project. However, this fundraiser is not just for businesses, any resident who cares about their community and having a nice place for kids to play, family reunions, etc., should donate to this project.

The Atwood Park belongs to all residents and it is up to everyone to do their part in helping it to grow. Send or take your donation to Village Clerk Amanda Barbee today or mail to Atwood Park Project, c/o Village of Atwood, P. O. Box 319, Atwood, IL 61913. The village EIN# is 37-600-1799.