Friends of the Park press pond‑lighting and bridge restoration; private locates needed before April 27 bore

Friends of the Park and park volunteers told the board on April 21 that fundraising for a pond-lighting and walking-path project is nearing the group's goal and that construction depends on completing private utility locates before an April 27 bore.

Sheldon (Friends of the Park) said the group "has just about reached our goal" and expects contractors to bore power lines for the lights on April 27, but stressed that private locates are required because many utilities in the project area are privately owned and 811 cannot locate them. The group engaged a private locating company, Bloodhound, and emphasized that the locate must be finished before the board's scheduled bore; otherwise the contractor would move to another job and the project would be delayed and re-priced.

Speakers described earlier estimates for locates and boring, including a contractor proposal capped at $3,000 (billing only for hours worked) and hourly locate rates cited in the meeting. They also discussed using boring rather than trenching to protect sod and reduce restoration costs.

The board discussed restoring four original bridge light fixtures; a local shop quoted $1,250 to sandblast, disassemble and braze the four lights, and staff said they will also meet with the high school's building-trades program to explore a student restoration option.

Next steps: finalize private locates with Bloodhound before April 27; confirm contractor schedule; proceed with boring and then light-pole installation and related path work as funds allow.