Straker Foundation Boosts Village Park

ZANESVILLE, OH – Some exciting changes are coming to a local park, and it’s all thanks to a generous helping hand from a community-focused foundation.

The J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation recently donated over $68,000 to the Village of South Zanesville to support the South Town Park Project. The project includes adding a brand-new big toy playground and making the park more interactive and family friendly.

“We’ve chosen a plan that includes a big toy for kids from ages five and up. We’re also going to have slides down the hill and we’re going to have interactive things like a fire truck hopefully, and a school bus. We want to make this an interactive park for families,” Council Member Paul Lowe said.

Construction is expected to begin in June of this year, and it should only take a few weeks, meaning families could be enjoying the upgrades before summer’s over.

“It’s very important for us all to exercise, to get outside in nature, and to get rid of the stress that we have in this society today. Everybody seems so busy. Taking the time to bring your children to the park, to play some basketball with them, to walk the trail, or to play on the big toy area. We have a skate park, skateboard area, and a bike park. So, there’s a lot to do here and when you put time into your family, that’s what makes a difference in society,” Lowe said.

Plans also include a second pickleball court along with installing new nets.

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