Big Improvements coming to Dodge Center's North Park

People say that often times "word of mouth” is the best way to find out important information.
For Dodge Center that saying was recently completely accurate.
After Dodge Center’s Community Development specialist Liz Johnson heard about a grant opportunity through the DNR during a Parks and Rec meeting, she decided to check it out online.
After approaching the Dodge Center City Council during a Council meeting about applying for the grant, they were immediately on board and from there they applied for the grant.
“Everyone was on board from the very beginning,” said Johnson.
After receiving the news in September that they had received a grant for $150,000 from the DNR, they went to work on coming up with what the renovations would be.
After coming up with different things that they could do to enhance the Dodge Center North Park, it was determined that the complete project would cost around a little over $300,000.
From there they were able to secure $106,000 in funding from the City of Dodge Center along with a generous donation of $62,000 from the Dodge Center Foundation in order to have enough funding to compete all the projects they have planned.
Luke Lutterman, chairman of Dodge Center Foundation, said that they were happy to help fund the project and hope to continue to improve the quality of life for the community in years to come.
“The Dodge Center Foundation is working to sustain and improve the quality of life in the Dodge Center area. We want to use our resources and talents to attract and retain skilled residents. We feel the park enhancement project will improve an already wonderful area for our children, grandchildren and our community as a whole.”
Some of the major additions and renovations that will be made to the park include adding a Inclusive Playground, adding a pavilion new sidewalks, resurfacing existing walking paths, repaving the NW parking lot, resurfacing the tennis courts, adding pickleball lines, adding a Pollinator Garden and new park signage.
Johnson noted that one of the most important projects being done at the park is creating an inclusive playground, which will allow children of all abilities and ages to play together. She pointed to that as a great thing for the community.
Overall the community is looking forward to the new upgrades in the park and allowing for community members to have an even better quality of life and add more action to the North Park.
“I’m most excited about improving the quality of the park and allow more people to be outside and enjoy a local amenity right here in dodge center,” said Johnson.
Be sure to continue following all of the Dodge Center North Park improve turning to the DCI.