Newton Park Board members discussed its upcoming annual Fourth of July fireworks event at its June meeting Wednesday night at City Hall.
Parks board members, staff and volunteers have organized activities prior to the annual fireworks July 4 at Agnes Patterson Park.
A sand volleyball tournament will begin at 1 p.m. and a kids zone with bounce houses, games and food vendors will begin at 6:30 p.m. Live music from local rock and roll band Slipstream will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. The fireworks display will begin shortly after, at dusk.
The board has set a goal to raise $2,000 for its fireworks by June 24.
Details and sign-up information will be finalized this week and updates will be posted to the Newton Parks Facebook page. A press release will be sent to the Newton Daily News, parks administrative superintendent Nathan Unsworth said.
“Everything we make over just helps us for next year, so that’s what we’re focusing on now. We’re doing good this year. If we can get this last bit raised then we’re going to be pretty close to that $10K mark which we’ve never hit in one year,” Unsworth said.
Donations of any amount are being accepted online at www.gofundme.com/NewtonFireworks and at the Newton Parks Office, 3000 N. Fourth Ave. E.
Also at the meeting, a brief parks projects update was given.
The Evermans Field project is out for bid. A few ADA and parking improvements projects are out for bid. Aurora Heights tennis courts resurfacing project is in the works. The hike and bike trail to Woodland will be completed at the later half of the summer.
The park board also has around $20K in its budget scheduled to be used at Lincoln Park and/or Callison Park. It’s not a significantly large amount, but it’s enough for possibly a few new small features such as a swing set, basketball court or parent-child swing at Aurora Heights Park.
Board member Melanie Humphrey said she has seen videos and heard positive feedback about the newly installed swing.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the swing set with the parent and child swing, and I don’t know if we could put one of those in each one,” Humphrey said.
Board members will look at the parks, share ideas and come up with a plan at its July meeting.
Also at the meeting:
• Gage Linahon gave an Eagle Scout project update on his 20-foot by 20-foot octagon gaga ball pit idea. Linahon presented three pit construction options to the board for input and opinion.
Option 1 is an all-treated wood option with concrete post and would be non movable. Option two is a pit with metal corner brackets and is movable. Option three is a pit with metal corners and composite lumber. It is movable and includes signage, but is the most costly.
The board approved for Linahon to move forward with fundraising.
• Westwood Golf Course usage was briefly discussed. Westwood will be mentioned at its monthly meetings to discuss ideas, thoughts, feedback and comments.
Board member Amanda Price discussed the course website. She said the site is very nice, but the calendar needs updated online and should be accessible for those looking for information.
Website hit usage including demographics will be discussed at a later meeting.
• The addition of a fence was brought up by board chair Adam Vandall between the playground and the highway at adult softball complex.
• The Maytag Pool has been very busy this season and has sold more pool passes than have been sold in the recent years.
Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com