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Park Avenue Thrift pledges $300,000 toward downtown park as city outlines $2 million fundraising goal
Summary
Park Avenue Thrift committed $300,000 to playground equipment for a planned downtown park; city leaders said a prior $1.3 million land sale seeded initial design work and staff and a contractor will pursue the remaining $2 million in donor funding.
Park Avenue Thrift pledged $300,000 toward a planned downtown park and amphitheater during the Enid City Commission meeting, providing seed funding officials say will help secure additional private contributions. Mayor Mason and fundraising coordinator Nicole (Happy Hour Marketing LLC) said the city received $1.3 million from a recent land sale that funded initial design work and that the full project will require roughly $2 million in private donations to complete key features such as a playground, splash pad and turf bowl.
The donation was announced as part of a presentation by Nicole, who said the $2 million target covers major amenities and naming opportunities. "One of the things we discussed . . . is including the big features of the park that make this park so special for downtown," she said, adding the project would begin in early 2027 with an anticipated completion in fall 2027.
Mayor Mason described the park as a gateway project and credited public-private partnerships for advancing the work. Park Avenue Thrift representatives on the podium identified Steven Mackey as the thrift’s board president and Melvin Arter as operations manager and said the board unanimously approved the commitment.
Commissioners approved a second amendment to the professional services agreement with Happy Hour Marketing LLC, extending the fundraising coordinator’s term to allow more time to solicit donors. The commission voted 7–0 to approve the amendment.
The city indicated fundraising materials and a short promotional video will be used to solicit gifts ranging from small donor amounts up to major naming opportunities, and Nicole provided a contact number for donors. Officials said the $300,000 gift will be used primarily for playground equipment and represents early seed funding toward a larger $2 million goal.
The meeting did not include final design approvals or a vote to appropriate additional city dollars; commissioners said further council action will follow as fundraising and design milestones are met.
