Public Forum for Proposed Playground July 12 at 6 PM

A public forum for a proposed playground available to all Whitehall residents and those passing through will be held Tuesday, July 12 at 6 PM at the Town Hall Chambers. The playground, spearheaded by Town Clerk Allissa Christensen, will be funded nearly entirely by grants.

The project, which was presented for funding to the Whitehall Sustainability Committee, was proposed for Legion Park, but the public meeting will seek further comment on the location.

"The goal of this project is to provide a fun and safe atmosphere by installing a playground for the community and tourists to enjoy," said Christensen in her presentation. "By establishing a playground, it would fulfill a need in the community and improve physical activity among our youth."

Christensen noted in her presentation that the Whitehall school playground is closed to the public during school hours, leaving homeschooled children, daycare children, and traveling tourists without a location to play.

The original proposed location of Legion Park would include fencing around the structures.

"The desire is to install the playground where the horseshoe pits currently are located. This location would allow for minimal disturbance of well-established trees in the park and allows the most space for equipment. The horseshoe pits will be relocated east of where they currently reside," said Christensen.

"The Town of Whitehall has never had an actual "playground" on public grounds. Legion Park gets a lot of tourists passing through Whitehall and a playground would be a fantastic addition and could potentially encourage tourists to stay in our community increasing revenue for Whitehall businesses.

All residents of Whitehall are asked to attend the public forum, whether in support or against the playground, to express their opinion on the 12th.