LIons give park a little more spark

Birnie Park’s new restrooms were formally opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday. Those taking park in the ceremony are, from left, Dale DeLong, Randy King, Vicki Jassenoff, Nancy Van Sickle, Mel Elder, Gary Tate, Eddie Elder, Gerald Hopkins and Dave Hallmark. DeLong, King, Jassenoff, Mel Elder, Eddie Elder and Hopkins are all Union County Ambassadors. Hopkins is also a Lions International member who is governor of Oregon’s District G. Van Sickle, Tate and Hallmark are all members of the La Grande Lions Club. The Observer/DICK MASON

That house is a distant memory. But in its place is more, so much more.

Birnie Park features include a state-of-the-art playground; wheelchair-accessible areas; a site recognizing the Oregon Trail and its significance, which is accompanied by Braille signs and more.

Today credit the club with another major addition. Men’s and women’s restrooms have been added. The restrooms were formally opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday. The event capped three years of work led by Lions members.

“It is so nice that the Lions Club, the city and the community have been able to come together to provide a park that is a safe place to play which everyone can enjoy,’’ said La Grande Lions Club member Nancy Van Sickle.

The restrooms, which cost $28,000, are handicapped accessible, have stainless steel fittings and are vandal resistant.

“They are built for easy maintenance,’’ said Mark Touhey, City of La Grande parks and recreation director.

Touhey and his staff worked closely with the Lions in getting the restrooms installed.

Virtually all funding for the project was through donations. The two largest donors were the Wildhorse Foundation, which donated $10,000, and the Oregon Community Foundation, which contributed $8,000. Significant contributions were also made by the La Grande Lions Club and its members.

The Lions donated $5,300. Bob Wilkins and Tom Witten and his wife, Lori, all Lions, each made donations. Wilkins donated $1,000, and the Wittens contributed $500.

Donors also included

La Grande Soroptimist International, which donated $2,000; Union County, $1,000; Union County Tourism, $250; and the La Grande Rotary Club.

A $2,500 Hamburger Helper grant was another significant contribution to the project.

The City of La Grande provided an estimated $19,659 in in-kind services for the restrooms. Royal Rock, Oregon Trail Electric and Ladco Electric also provided in-kind services.

A sign will be placed outside the restrooms recognizing everyone who assisted with project. Those to be recognized include Tosh Connor of Connor Graphics and City of La Grande Parks and Recreation staff members Mark Touhey, Minnie Tucker, Bob Leonard, Tee Gandy and John Smith.

— Dick Mason