Community Foundation donates $49,513 to redo Father Padilla Park restroom in Herington

Elizabeth Weese, executive director of the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, told the Herington City Commission that the foundation wanted to be "a little bit more proactive" in local communities and presented a $49,513 check to the city to renovate the restroom at Father Padilla Park. "We grant over $1,500,000 each year back to Dickinson County," Weese said, explaining the foundation’s rationale for funding a non‑glamorous but necessary project.

Weese said the foundation requested signage at the park noting that the restroom was "brought to you by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County" and asked that the commission participate in a photo opportunity when the check is presented. Ben Meyer, introduced as a board member accompanying Weese, was present for the presentation.

City staff discussed the timeline for the restroom work elsewhere on the agenda, saying crews plan to start utility work after Labor Day and that the stone WPA restroom—identified as historic—will be rehabilitated and heated to allow year‑round use. Staff estimated the city’s portion of the on‑property work would be brief and that contractors would perform much of the construction.

The commission did not take an additional formal vote on the donation during the presentation beyond accepting the check and authorizing related signage and publicity as part of routine acceptance of community contributions. The next operational step staff identified was coordinating contractors and a short construction window this fall.