As the Carroll City Council dives into the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, there are some members of the community who are disappointed that a local project did not make the priority list for next year. A master plan for Northeast Park, that included the long-range vision of incorporating Carroll’s first all-inclusive playground, Kellan’s Kingdom, with space to grow, was approved by the council in late July. Future proposed additions include a Miracle Field that would provide a baseball/softball surface usable by individuals of all abilities, a combination concession stand shelter house with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant facilities, a trail loop with weight stations and paved parking and sidewalks. Ali Tigges, the mother of Kellan, the namesake for the playground and one of the organizers for Miracle Field fundraising, says they were recently contacted about the city’s budgetary plans.
City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver, says the city does have $50,000 allocated in the budget for Miracle Field development. They discussed additional requests, but at a recent budget retreat, council members did not select this as a priority project.
He says they believe the $50,000 will help with fundraising efforts. He adds that cities are generally a small component of the overall funding.
Within the context of the City of Carroll, according to Pogge-Weaver, this was not an attainable number in the next couple of years, rather the master plan is a 10 to 20 year buildout. Tigges says the playground equipment is there and ready to be installed as soon as the weather permits this year, but the rest of the park plans are on hold for now. She says they are looking at having to raise funds privately for the Miracle Field, parking and sidewalks. This was not exactly what they wanted to hear on the park’s estimated total of nearly a million dollars.
She says they would love to have it all right away, but it may have to be done in phases. She is adamant that the field is still going to happen, it just may take a little longer. One of Tigges’ main concerns, however, is that they will get Kellan’s Kingdom installed, but it will be difficult for families to reach the sight without the needed parking and sidewalks.
To date, there has been over $50,000 raised for the Miracle Field portion of the project, estimated to cost nearly half a million dollars. Tigges says once they hit the $100,000 mark, that opens up more grant opportunities for them. Organizers are still hearing from many people who can’t wait to come to Kellan’s Kingdom and the Miracle Field. And Tigges can’t wait for the day she can see everyone able to get out and just play together.
