Parks Department Completing Additional Projects | Video

Evan Kruegel | 11/20/2012

The Williston Parks and Recreation budgeted 700,000 dollars in capital projects for 2012. But through mid November, they`ve already completed over 2 million dollars worth of projects.

"We did almost three times what we had planned to do which is great because we took some of the projects for next year and did them this year, and we`ll keep trying to do that and get our list done as quick as possible”, Said Parks Director Darin Krueger.

One of those additional projects was improvements to the keel boat building at Spring Lake Park. The boat’s been rented out in the summer time for over ten years. But now, they`ve added heating. Making it a year round facility.

"We`ve been able to rent this from mid April to mid September and with our new funding we said we should try and find out if we can heat this building, and see if we can get it used year round. And we finished that project and now we`re taking reservations for December", Said Krueger.

The boat can be rented for parties, weddings, or even just meetings. It`s designed and built based on what river-travelers would have used in the 18th and 19th centuries.

"The keel boat is what Lewis and Clark came up the river on, so it`s replicated after that, its a little bigger than their boat but it`s pretty cool. It`s got the mast and is designed just like that."

The department was also able to add four new playground structures, bathrooms at three different parks, and numerous other upgrades. If the sales tax revenue keeps coming in at this pace, Williston residents can expect more of the same in 2013.

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