Childs Park Fund Raising Campaign Receives $30,000 Challenge Gift in Memory of Barbara Smyth

Meredith, NH, April 23, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Friends of Meredith Parks and Recreation, a 501(c)3 non profit volunteer fund raising organization, is pleased to announce they have received a very generous $30,000 challenge gift in memory of Barbara “Bobby” Smyth, to support a fundraising campaign to help fund improvements to Childs Park. The gift is being presented to the Town of Meredith by Barbara’s husband Lou Kahn to honor her memory. “There is no doubt in my mind that Bobby would have been a vocal backer of improvements to Childs Park. That is why I would like to see the funds used in this positive way and to hopefully inspire others to also contribute to this worthy project”, stated Lou Kahn. The new playground will be named in memory of Barbara.

Both the Capital Improvements Program Committee and the Board of Selectmen support improvements being made to Childs Park, however due to budget constraints, not enough funds are available in the 2010 municipal budget to fully complete proposed renovations in 2010. At the 2009 town meeting voters approved the establishment of an Expendable Trust Fund ($25,000) to make improvements to Parks and Recreation Facilities. The Board of Selectmen has identified Childs Park as the facility most in need of improvements and estimates to complete renovations total $130,000. At the2010 town meeting voters approved an additional $60,000 to be added to the ETF previously established. The Board of Selectmen and the CIP committee has asked the Friends fundraising volunteers, to conduct a community wide fundraising campaign to raise the remaining funds required to complete the project in 2010. Proposed improvements include increased parking, new playground, improved ball field, resurfaced basketball court, permanent restroom, and picnic area.

Barbara passed away in 2009 and was a very community minded resident of Meredith since 1999. As a member of the Meredith Conservation Commission, Barbara worked on publicity to help the town acquire the conservation easement on Longridge Farm and Page Pond properties, and she helped to clear trails in the Hamlin Town Forest. She is the inspiration for a gift made to the town known as the “Bobby R. Smyth Conservation Easement on about 140 acres of forest, abutting the town’s Hamlin and Eames forest properties.

In 2007, the Greater Meredith Program named Bobbi Volunteer of the Year. She designed, planted, and watered flower and landscape beds and flower boxes gracing the Meredith Center Fire Station and other locations in town. Barbara was also a member of the Meredith Altrusa Club.

Anyone wishing to support this worthy project can make contributions made payable to “Friends of Meredith Parks and Recreation”, and send to: Friends of Meredith Parks and Recreation, PO Box 567, Meredith, NH 03253. Contributions of time, materials, or equipment would also be welcomed. The Friends encourage all to help in any way possible on this worthy project. Information and updates about the Friends of Meredith Parks and Recreation can be found at www.fompr.org. Anyone with questions should contact Parks and Recreation Director Vint Choiniere at 279-8197 or www.vchoiniere@meredithnh.org.

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