Council Moves Forward with Fullerton

The Fullerton Park project got a boost Monday night when council voted to amend ordinance 22-2010 to amend, supplement and appropriate an additional $150,000 to the project.

“We’ve been solidly behind this project,” said Mayor John Button. “And I think we felt as though it was going to move forward on schedule, but this will help as well.”

Friends of Fullerton board members asked that council give their project the same consideration it gave the K.I.D.S Initiative, by introducing an ordinance for first reading Monday night. A second reading will be held March 14. The council also amended the agenda to add the resolutions and ordinance, making it the second time in one night that the Council amended the agenda, something it had not done in 30 years.

The Friends of Fullerton will hold a meeting at 7 tonight at the Community House to update the public on the progress of the project.

Board members announced at council Monday night that the committee has already raised $20,000 toward the cost of the project and has several fundraising events planned for the coming weeks.

One such fundraiser is the March Madness Cocktail Challenge. Participants will host a themed party, by the end of March, to raise money for Zelley Park. The host that collects the most money will receive dinner for two and townwide bragging rights.

Funds will also be raised via the sale of bricks and fence pickets for the new playground. Engraved bricks and pickets are limited.

Friends of Fullerton also have announced the Fullerton Park will be held April 27-May 1.

“We need approximately 750 adult volunteers to build this park,” said Dee Bertino, volunteer coordinator. “In addition to the actual park building, we will need volunteers to assist with tools, food and childcare.”

During the build, there will be three, four-hour shifts from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

“We are recruiting both skilled–those comfortable using a circular saw—and unskilled—you don’t want to use power tools,” said Bertino.

Volunteers may either be skilled or unskilled. Those who do not want to assist with carpentry are needed as well to assist with childcare, food preparation, sanding, shoveling or art. Volunteers can be any age. Children under age 10 are not allowed on site, however, there will be childcare provided and they can assist off site with the artistic projects. Children ages 10-13 can work with an adult and children ages 14-17 can work on site but may not work with power tools.

For more information about the project, visit friendsoffullerton.com.