Wrightwood Community Services District (WCSD) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Hollis M. Stewart Children’s Park on May 6, 2023. The sterling, spring Saturday morning, was complete with chirping birds and eager children waiting to enjoy the newly installed playground equipment. Located at 6059 Pine St., the park features slides, rock climbing, swings, and more for kids of all ages. Although there were some roadblocks along the way towards completion, the only barriers now were protecting the park-side presentation from local Saturday morning traffic.
The Grand Re-Opening of the Hollis M. Stewart Children’s Park was made possible by the generous donations of time, money, and effort of the WCSD, The Snowline Joint Unified School District, the Wrightwood Village Foundation, and the contributions of Hollis M. Stewart, a generous benefactor, and friend of the community. Spearheaded by former WCSD Board Member Michelle Schneider, WCSD General Manager Tamie Keen, WCSD Board of Directors Natalie Lopiccolo, Snowline Joint Unified School District Principal John Garner, and Christine Jenkins with the Wrightwood Village Foundation, the much-anticipated Grand Opening had been delayed due to weather and other scheduling issues.
Gourmet donuts, coffee, and refreshments were served as the morning’s speakers proudly spoke to the modest audience seated at the Pine St. entrance of the refurbished playground. They each shared the podium offering thanks and gratitude to the mountain Community of Wrightwood for its cooperation and patience. Also speaking from County Supervisor Paul Cook’s office was Policy Planner Christopher Porter, who offered his enthusiasm for the project’s completion. Michelle Schnieder and Natalie Lopiccolo shared the cutting honors since these were definitely scissors made for two; the bright red, extra-large snippers sliced right through the six-inch wide, giant red ribbon. With much-deserved fanfare, the Grand Re-Opening was christened with applause.
The park was funded by Proposition 68, The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018. The balance of the $292,000.00 price tag was paid for by Wrightwood CSD, and private donations in excess of $81,000.00. The Wrightwood Community Services commemorative sign at the entrance to the park displays more than one hundred names of donors and anonymous benefactors who shared time and money to create this colorful recreational space. Thankfully, the fun part of the Hollis M. Stewart Children’s Park is free. “He was a kind and thoughtful man,” was mentioned more than once by close acquaintances of Hollis M. Stewart at the morning celebration.
For more information about the WCSD and its programs, visit https://wrightwoodcsd.org/services/parks-recreation/ or call (760) 249-3205.
