Monday, March 30, 2009

Anybody out there have a rock hammer?

Spent the good part of a day trying to locate a rock hammer mounted on an excavator. Not much luck with securing one, but we did manage to secure some leads on a support system offered by one of the local equipment companies. This support system is offered to organizations that are trying to help improve their community. This possible sponsorship shows great promise for the future of our project. I will post more on that subject later for your information.

We would like to thank the Rental Connection in Kuna, for their generous support of the Park Redevelopment Project. If you have any needs with rental equipment whether it be an edger, mower, grinder, rototiller, or even a tractor, they have many items for rent to help you with your yard chores. They also have great rates by the hour or day.

We also could not have started this project without the help from the Lions Club in Kuna. They are a great asset to Kuna and the surrounding community.

With the delay created by the need for a hammer, we are looking at a week off of schedule. We hope to be back on track and rolling by Thursday the 2nd (with a rock hammer) and pour concrete on Saturday the 4th. Of course this will move the entire project back one week, but we will be making progress!
Unfortunately, opening day for baseball season is Saturday the 4th, so we will try to get the hammering done on Thursday so we don't interrupt the games.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

BADGERS!?



WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BADGERS!!

Started today by digging the pit for the footings and retaining wall. We hit solid rock, come back tomorrow with a hammer!
This will delay us a few days, but we hope to stick with our schedule of finishing the ADA Ramp by April 8th.

Update on the Park

With the division of the fields not due to start until June 1st, we have decided to put our time and energy into projects around the park in preparation of the field redevelopment.

On top of the task of building this new facility, we are also adding traffic control in the park for the safety of it’s users and for the vehicles that pass by the park during game times.

At this time, we are constructing an ADA ramp in the parking lot that is unique in it’s design. This ramp is unique, because it also supply’s the Emergency Vehicle access to the park when the traffic control devices will be in place and working.

The traffic control feature creates an unusual circumstance that closes off the road and hinders EV movement into the park. Having an EV access built in, makes the ADA ramp an even more needed and functional apparatus.

We are planning many new features to the park to incorporate both safety and function. From increased safety, to bathrooms and concession building, we are also planning a green belt connection to lower Indian Creek with a pathway, plus a large flag and display that will commemorate our Veterans. Baseball and sitting in a park, both are America’s favorite pastime, and we are incorporating a small town atmosphere with a place to be proud.
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We are beginning construction on the ADA ramp April 1st and 8th at 9:00 AM. This ramp is being constructed entirely of materials donated by the Home Depot in Meridian Idaho. Along with materials and funds for the project, Home Depot is also providing labor using crew members from their Meridian store. They will be joined by the local chapter of the Lion’s Club, which repeatedly volunteers in the community adding support wherever needed. The Lion’s Club has not only donated time in labor on this project, but also technical advice and equipment through their Vice President Skip Hoseley.

The ADA ramp and many of the structures planned for the park were designed by Glenn Walker of Architecture Designs Plus. The Engineering was performed by Robert St. Michell of JUB. In addition, much of the Civil Engineering and advice has come from Jim Coslett, Laren Bailey, and Scott Sherrow of LEI Engineering. Midge Kline, Chanon Romo, Tina Louie, Michele White, Joshua Saak, and Chance Heron of ACHD also stepped up with a generous donation of assistance and time on this project.

There are many sponsors involved in the park project itself, and it promises to be an ongoing procedure with phases being performed well into the next three years. We have received many donations to this wonderful project, and we could not do it without the Treasure Valley’s support. It seems that this project stretches across town lines, as many of our sponsors are from both in and outside the Kuna area. I think that just shows that when it comes to kids and great projects, there really are no borders.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

 At the time of our first presentation to the Kuna City Council -seeking permission to start this project-  Little League Baseball was the exclusive user of the facility.

 Months later, a small group arrived on the scene and wished to start a Community Softball League. We had already drafted, and had been approved for 200' fields, but we voted to extend the field and redraft them to meet the requirements of the new softball league.

 The fields will now be extended to include 25 extra feet on the playing surface. This additional 25' will be added in the form of a warning track to the 8' wall for advertisers in the outfield. You gotta be a tough kid to hit a home run in our facility! 

 This is going to be a rockin park when it is complete, and should support many safe community functions for years to come.