FULTON — Village Mayor Terri Hickman was all smiles during the Lincoln Center Park playground dedication Thursday night.

“It has been a long journey, but a successful journey,” Hickman said.

The LCP Committee began in January 2012 with 10 residents who had a vision. The members are Jim Carroll, Marsha Carroll, Carl George, Marilee George, Bernie Bronson, Randy Burns, Deanna Cox, Nancy Ciccone, Joanne Krock and Terri Hickman.

The committee began by sending out community letters to the village residents and to those who had attended the Fulton school over the years it was in session and designed their dream park.

The park development was divided into four phases: Phase I, Shelter; Phase II, Playground; Phase III, Basketball court; Phase IV, Walking path.

“This is something we have needed here,” said Angela Frase, who lives three doors east of the playground.

Hickman welcomed about 25 guests huddled under the shelter, most wearing jackets or sweaters, sitting on the eight benches.

“It has taken a lot of hard work to put this playground together,” she said.

It also required funding.

“The Leclerc Charity Fund has donated $66,000 to date, starting in 2014,” Hickman said.

Diana (Lanum) Baily, Executive Director and Trustee of Leclerc Charity Fund, was born and raised in Fulton. She followed the committee’s progress and submitted requests for donations. Mr. Leclerc passed away in late 2014, but his charity fund continues to assist projects involving children.

Baily had planned to be at the dedication, but Mother Nature interrupted. Hurricane Irma was bearing down on their home in Fort Myers, Fla., so she remained there with her animals.

But Baily’s daughter, Lindsay Arevalo, administrative assistant of LCF, attended with her husband Francisco.

“I have heard stories of my mom growing up here, one of 12 children, and how they played here on this street,” Arevalo said. “This is an exciting thing for generations to come, with plans to update the baseball diamond and give kids a place to go. We’d love to see that.”

Baily sent a message that Hickman read to the group.

“There is a saying that says ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ I believe that this is exactly what this park can do for the village of Fulton. Where family, friends and neighbors can get together and connect and grow together. Please join and be a part of helping this park grow and succeed.”

The shelter development took more than one year and was completed on Aug. 29, 2014. Jim Carroll was the lead on the project with help from Carl George, Dave Trimmer and crew, Joe Carroll, Kyle Smothers, Randy Burns, John Oswald and Burgess Castle.

“The shelter project was truly completed from beginning to end with local donations and volunteer labor,” Hickman said.

Several memory benches have been added to the site. in honor of former residents who have passed away. One is in memory of Hickman’s husband Ken, who grew up in the village.

The Lincoln Center Park sign was designed and put up in December 2013. Shelley Hickman designed the sign, Randy Burns donated the cost of the sign and Jim Carroll installed it.

Others who assisted with the project:

Lead volunteers: Jim Carroll, Bernie Bronson, Carl George and Taylor Jasiewicz (Playworld Supervisor)

Equipment volunteers: Jim Carroll, Joey Ostrom, Bernie Bronson.

Playground Build Volunteers: Jim Carroll, Marsha Carroll, Jess Carroll, Meghan Meadows, Chrissy McDaniel, Joe Carroll, Dave Kovacs, Ernie Lackey, Chris Bronson, Dick Clark, Joey Ostrom, Carl George, Bronson.

“These individuals did an amazing job, and the playground is truly an asset to our community,” Hickman said.

This spring the committee began working on the design of the basketball court. The half-court area was completed in early August.

“This is awesome. They’ve all done a great job,” Arevalo said.

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Diana (Lanum) Baily, Executive Director and Trustee of Leclerc Charity Fund, with her daughter, Lindsay Arevalo.
http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/09/web1_mom-and-Lindsay.jpgDiana (Lanum) Baily, Executive Director and Trustee of Leclerc Charity Fund, with her daughter, Lindsay Arevalo.

The village of Fulton’s Lincoln Center Park playground dedication was held last Thursday.
http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/09/web1_playgroud.jpgThe village of Fulton’s Lincoln Center Park playground dedication was held last Thursday.

One of the memory benches in the park.
http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/09/web1_bench.jpgOne of the memory benches in the park.
Second of four phases complete

By Anthony Conchel

The Sentinel