Holcomb board hears update on learning trail
10/11/2012
By ANGIE HAFLICH
ahaflich@gctelegram.com
The Holcomb City Council heard an update on the Born Learning Trail Wednesday night.
Council member Tracy Davis presented a report on expenditures for the trail and improvements to the park, which have included the addition of signage, benches, trash receptacles, poles, concrete and sprinkler extensions, as well as paint.
"We were authorized $12,000, and so far we've spent approximately $5,400 and that's reduced by the $4,000 in grant money we received from the Finney County United Way, who gave us $2,500, the Finney County Community Health Coalition, who gave us $1,500 plus the signs and the paint to be used out there," Davis said.
This leaves $6,582.91 of the allotted $12,000 available for the project.
"We still need to do the landscaping, plantings, all that, so there's going to be additional costs incurred as time allows us to get those planted," Davis said.
With most of the details already completed, she said that an open house and presentation to the public for the trail, which is located at Holcomb Community Park, is scheduled for tonight from 6 to 8 p.m at the park.
The trail, which includes nine outdoor games, signs and sidewalk art, runs around the Holcomb Community Park, similar to one at Harold Long Park in Garden City, and was a joint venture between the city of Holcomb, the Finney County Community Health Coalition and the Finney County United Way.
"The Born Learning Trail is targeted towards early childhood development, so (tonight's) presentation is aimed at getting younger kids and adults there to show them a way to stay active, walking and that there are ways to stay interested while they're doing it," Davis said.
Davis also acknowledged the ideas, grants and time contributed to the project.
"We are truly grateful to everyone who helped with this project," she said.
In a separate interview, Davis said that she anticipates the landscaping to be fully completed in the spring or summer. She also said that the trail includes 10 signs, each of which serve as tools for learning about the alphabet, counting and shapes.
"It's designed to direct the parent that's walking with the small child. The first sign says, 'Find something that starts with an A,' and so it gives them something to talk about," Davis said. "And then there's a hopscotch where they can do hopscotch and learn to count."
Other topics of discussion at Wednesday's council meeting included discussion of a Holcomb citizen's request to have a portion of their property rezoned; approval of accounts payable for city departments; and the implementation of Red Ribbon Week, a campaign sponsored by National Family Partnership that offers citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles. The campaign is celebrated the week of Oct. 23. to 31 and was approved by the council.
The council also approved a proclamation that the city participate in the National Fire Prevention' Association's fire safety week from Oct. 8 to Oct. 13.
Monthly reports from city administration, maintenance, police and fire departments were also heard by council members.