Kish Park mini golf course upgrades continue
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LEWISTOWN -- Kish Park mini golf course sponsors from all over the Juniata River Valley attended an open house Thursday night to see where their donation dollars went as they celebrated.
Kish Park has had a mini golf course since its opening in the early 1900s.
Because the course had aged over many years, it needed more than just repairs. It needed a whole new look.
Officials, alongside community specialists and Mifflin County High School students, put their heads together and decided to revive Kish Park's history with an amusement-park theme.
Mini golfers are encouraged to snap a photo and share it on the course Facebook page. Although some fixtures on the course are meant for climbing, others are not, so be sure before you pose.
While keeping the amusement park theme, golf course officials also wanted to tie in some aspects of the community. With that being said, one hole, sponsored by a family who enjoys camping at the park each year, features a tent, campfire ring, and trees to pose with for photos. Another hole sponsored by the Yeagertown Fire Co. is meant to honor their famous "Blue Goose" fire truck with a replica of sorts made from playground equipment for children to take a spin on.
Although all 18 holes have been sponsored, there is still room to donate, as Township Manager Kelly Shutes shared in an interview that some have donated toward the landscaping portion of the course, and they are eager to get started.
Some holes are still waiting for their fixtures to be built, delivered, and/or created, so there will be something new, possibly weekly, monthly, and even yearly, being done at the course.
Soon, the Burnham Fire Co. will have a photo-op firetruck where you can get a shot of you or your friends behind the wheel.
The Ferris wheel already in place at its hole will be decorated with lights to create the illusion of movement, and the sponsor logos will be added to the Ferris wheel seats.
Later, there will be Skooter Cars added to a hole sponsored by State Farm, Amanda Moeller, and Stroup's Garage. Construction of flowerpots designed to look like the old daisy cup ride in the park and a cute picnic scene will be added as well, complete with a picnic basket and friendly ants.
Shutes added that their ideas are endless and they expect even more creativity from the local art and visual arts teachers and students this coming year.
Shutes also noted that the township has received requests from its residents for additional course shading and is exploring options to shield golfers from the sun.
"We are so proud of our staff and volunteers who have given much time and effort to the park these past few years. The mini golf seems to have been a catalyst for the community to step up and be a part of the exciting things that are happening at the park," Shutes said.
With improvements to the park, like the golf course, new playground, and bathrooms, many of the adult and youth sports leagues have been updating their fields and facilities as well, Shutes shared.
"The township supervisors are ever so thankful for the volunteers that provide their time to these worthy projects," Shutes said.
Shutes added that the township is finalizing the design of the new splash pad and working toward a project start date in spring or summer next year.
Shutes said the township must stay within its budget for the new facility (set at $1,030,000, funded by various grants and township capital funds), so it is proceeding cautiously to ensure it stays within budget.
There is a lot of planning that goes on prior to actual construction, such as permitting, design plan preparation, and bidding documents.
"We are just overwhelmed with the community support and positive comments from everyone," Shutes said.