CPI inches closer to vision for Latham Memorial Family Park

In this October 2020 photo, work at Latham Memorial Family Park continues with construction beginning on the park's gazebo.
In this October 2020 photo, work at Latham Memorial Family Park continues with construction beginning on the park's gazebo.

California Progress, Inc.'s work toward bringing its vision for Latham Memorial Family Park inches closer to a reality, as key elements of the park continue to seek full funding.

CPI's board, at its Monday night meeting, voted to approve loaning money from its Neighborhood Assistance Program account to the park committee, using future donations as they come in to pay off these loans. Any purchases slated to be made using NAP funds would be voted on and approved at future board meetings before the money is made accessible to the committee. The board employed a similar strategy when purchasing the property in 2019.

Including pending pledge money that CPI will receive incrementally over time, CPI still needs to raise roughly $150,000 in total to fully fund the park's veterans' memorial and playground.

The park will tentatively serve as an event venue later this year in September, as Moniteau County 4-H students were on hand at Monday's meeting to detail their early plans for a commemorative event for the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. The 4-H students planning the event have applied for and received grant money for the project, during which they said they envision a ceremony honoring local first responders, service members, elected officials and others, and including guest speakers and music from local groups. The group is also floating the idea of serving a simple meal for a freewill donation, with any money raised going toward the veterans' memorial.

CPI board members agreed to approve the group's use of the park, stating that work should probably be far enough along by September for it to serve as a suitable event venue. The board voted to give the group notice 45 days prior to Sept. 11, in the event CPI decides the park won't be at a state where it can be used.

Planning for the park project was discussed in even further detail at the park committee's meeting earlier this month on March 2. Per the committee's meeting minutes, plans are underway for a number of park fundraisers: a softball tournament at the city ball complex, a drive-thru dinner, a golf tournament and the "Spooktacular" event previously slated to take place last year that was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plans for the playground are advancing as well, with representatives with the park committee hopeful that renderings similar to those that have been provided for the veterans' memorial will be ready by next month. The park committee's next meeting is set for Tuesday, April 6, when it will discuss progress on this front in more detail.

In other business from Monday's meeting, the board discussed progress with its next mural project, honoring the history of the railroad in California. The mural/design committee is still exploring options for a suitable location for the mural.

CPI's brackets for its new banners have been paid for and received early; the city of California has agreed to install them on city light posts in the near future.

Finally, work on CPI's new website progresses, as a first draft is ready for review. CPI executive director Resa Dudley and two CPI board members will look at the website and note any changes they wish to make before presenting it to the rest of the board for further feedback.

California Progress, Inc.'s next regular board meeting is set for at 6 p.m. April 12 at the Moniteau County Library.