A Jamaica organization recently received a donation to pursue their interest in revamping their city park.

The 10 Squared Women of Guthrie County awarded their first quarter donation of 2020 to the City of Jamaica for their youth park project. With checks collected from members and company matches, the lump sum totaled $11,100, which will go towards the purchase of a new piece of playground equipment, installing two new basketball hoops, replacing swings, and eventually purchasing amenities to have a pickleball court as well.

Jamaica resident Carla Hilgenberg says this project was conceived by the recently formed Jamaica Supporters group, who helped host a fall festival last year for residents and would eventually like to replace the roof of the city community center, “I hope for the future, I’m hoping that we will have a community event one time a month, you know hot dogs and it doesn’t have to be extravagant but just to have people be proud that you’re from a small town and I guess I am. I’m 58 years old and I’m very proud to be from Jamaica so I guess I just think we can all make a difference and to make people feel that sense of community and pride.”

Hilgenberg says work on the park will be completed this August by Rainbow of the Heartland of Grimes. They also hope to include some mural work done by local children who also gave input on what they wanted to see in the city park.