Volunteer offers $15,000 for Washington Park and asks council to match funds for teen amenities

Taylor Borkowski, identifying herself as hot summer nights coordinator and speaking on behalf of the Class of the Knights, told the Denison City Council she is donating $15,000 to support Washington Park and asked the council to consider matching the contribution to fund amenities aimed at older youth, such as a second basketball court.

Borkowski said the park has quickly become a valued community space and that limiting access for older children could leave them without positive places to gather. She proposed the council match the donation so the project could be completed by early spring. Council members thanked Borkowski and staff noted the Washington Park master plan is on file and will be revisited during the upcoming planning sessions.

Staff said they will keep the matter on the agenda and integrate the request with the park master plan and Parks & Recreation Board input; Jess indicated the item can be brought back at a future meeting or incorporated into the planning session materials. Borkowski emphasized donor and volunteer support for summertime events and noted this was one of her final assignments as coordinator.

Next steps: Staff will track the donation and include the park enhancement proposal in forthcoming planning materials and capital discussions. Council did not take a formal vote on matching funds at this meeting.

Quote: "I'd like to propose that our $15,000 donation be allocated specifically toward an addition to Washington Park for this age group...and ask that council consider matching our contribution so that this could be completed by early spring," Borkowski said.

Context: The request will be considered alongside the park master plan and available capital funding; staff flagged the Washington Park master plan for future planning work.