Celebration of Renovations Coming to Peach Park

Aug. 12, 2023 was the culmination of years of diligent work by the Near South Neighborhood Association. We celebrated the renovations that Lincoln Parks Foundation will be doing to the park in the near future and presented them with a check for $35,000 to go toward the renovations at Peach Park!

Seventy–Five neighbors enjoyed Mary Ellen’s Food for the Soul truck followed by cake, served by City Councilwoman Sandra Washington and Senator Jane Raybould. City Councilman Tom Beckius was also on hand. All three gave generous accolades to NSNA, speaking highly of the event and the work that has been ongoing through the last 50 years, showing the way for other neighborhood associations in Lincoln. Randy Gordon and J.J. Yost from Lincoln Parks Foundation expressed heartfelt thanks for the donation, garnered from the last two years of events (plant sale, garage sale, Give2Lincoln, Tour of Homes, grants, and private donations).

During the past five years, NSNA has gifted over $75,000 to the Lincoln Parks Foundation to assist with upgrades and improvements of our parks. Additionally, Jim Cook from the St. Paul United Methodist Climate Justice Team told us about the 37 trees planted in the spring around Peach, then announced they had received an additional grant to plant even more. Yard games and toys were enjoyed by the children, including the Peach balloon toss. Neighbors sat long into the afternoon to visit and relax in the beautiful summer weather. Our sincere thanks to all who attended. Special thanks to the Near South Neighborhood Association and all volunteers who worked tirelessly to make another Near South dream come true.

 Cathy Wilken, NSNA Secretary/Chair, Parks Comm.