Sankey Park development progresses as community discusses grants and fundraising strategies

The Park & Tree Committee of Sweet Home, Oregon, convened on February 19, 2025, to discuss several key initiatives, including preparations for Arbor Day and updates on the Sankey Park development project.

During the meeting, members expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Arbor Day celebration, highlighting last year's success and the community's engagement in various activities. Plans are underway to create promotional materials, including flyers and social media posts, to attract more participants this year. The committee also discussed the possibility of organizing a raffle to support park donations, with one member suggesting that a fellow committee member could create baskets for the event.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Sankey Park Phase 3 update. The committee is currently working on engineering drawings and a cost analysis for the project. Concerns were raised about potential increases in engineering costs, but members remain hopeful that grant funding will cover the expenses. The committee aims to finalize the cost analysis by the end of February, with a deadline to complete the project by the end of the year.

Additionally, the committee explored the idea of establishing a community garden, drawing inspiration from a similar project in Lebanon. Members agreed to gather more information and photos to present at the next meeting, emphasizing the simplicity of installation at Strawberry Park.

In a roundtable discussion, the committee celebrated its 38th year as a Tree City, with plans for a larger celebration as they approach the 40th anniversary. Members acknowledged the importance of maintaining the city’s status and discussed potential ideas for commemorating the milestone.

The meeting concluded with updates on a community building project at Sankey Park, which has been temporarily removed from the current grant due to funding challenges. However, the committee remains committed to pursuing this initiative in future cycles, exploring various design options to enhance community engagement.

Overall, the meeting underscored the committee's dedication to enhancing local parks and fostering community involvement through various initiatives. The next steps include finalizing the Sankey Park cost analysis and continuing preparations for Arbor Day.