City plans BBQ to raise park funds

Electric City will hold a “Pig for the Park” barbecue on Sept. 12.

The barbecue will get Electric City residents familiar with the city’s new neighborhood park on land purchased from the Banks Lake Bible Church.

Councilmember Lonna Bussert, who, along with Councilmember Brad Parrish, has worked on the park idea through the purchase period and in the planning of the park, said tickets will be sold for the barbecue, and she encouraged people to attend for an afternoon of fun and information.

The actual “Pig for the Park” feast will be in the grassy area behind city hall, where cooks will have access to power.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children up to 12 years old; children 5 and under attend for free. Proceeds will go to develop and equip the park. The event begins at noon. Tickets are on sale at Electric City Hall.

Tables will be set up behind city hall, and cooks will start barbecue procedures very early that morning.

Already, the city has acquired some playground equipment that was declared surplus by the school board after students vacated Center School to move into the new school building complex. The equipment has been moved and is being stored until the park land and plan is ready for it.

Electric City agreed to pay $25,000 for the approximately 112-foot by 160-foot parcel that lies directly behind the fire station. The purchase deal called for the city to pay $10,000 down and pay off the remaining amount over a 10-year period.

The city has $5,000 in its park fund for planning and development.

Bussert told the council that if it purchased park land, the city would be in a position to go after grants to do final development.