One of the largest playgrounds in the area deserves one of the largest ribbon cuttings in the area!
Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike, City Administrator Jim Ristow, Bellevue Chamber President Diane Bruce, City Council President Rich Casey and Bellevue Parks and Recreation Director Jim Shada gathered this morning at the new playground at American Heroes Park to officially dedicate and cut the ribbon on this new play area. they were joined by dozens of Bellevue business leaders and probably 750 or more children enjoying a field trip on the last day of summer school. It was a little chaotic and very busy, but we hope these children will tell their parents about this great new all-inclusive playground in Bellevue.
Bellevue City Administrator Jim Ristow recognized and thanked Bellevue Parks and Recreation Director Jim Shada for bringing this idea to the forefront and pushing for it through numerous budget cycles with the help of the administrative team and the Bellevue City Council. Mr. Shada is quick to point out that it was a team effort between the City, Bodie Dostal of Dostal’s Construction and Julie Kutilek and Chloe Kutilek from Burke Playground to develop and fine tune the concept of this park and make it a reality.
Here are some stats about the construction of the playground:
- 7 semi trucks of playground Equipment
- 800 ton of recycled concrete to insure no rain days
- 2000' of drainage pipe
- 60 area drains under the rubber
- 700 cy of concrete
- 6.5 semi trucks of rubber surfacing
- 950 lf of round rail fence
- 6,500 hours of labor to build
All this effort, by so many people, has led to this playground which provides play opportunities such as swinging, sensory play, rocking, sliding and climbing will all be available at this park as well as a chance to test your skills at an American Ninja Warrior style course.
Bellevue Mayor Hike was excited to see the large turnout and is equally excited when he drives by this area at all times of the day and notices a lot of people playing on this playground. Mayor Hike shared, “Just the other day, I noticed a couple of parents and grandparents enjoying the park together with their children and grandchildren. This is exactly what we had in mind when Mr. Shada and the Parks and Recreation Team brought the idea forward a few years ago.”
Bellevue Chamber President Diane Bruce, talked about what this playground means not only to the Bellevue Community but the benefits of bringing people to town. She then took time to recognize Mr. Shada for his efforts and presented him with a Bellevue Pride shirt which he has earned for his efforts.
When building a playground like this, it is important to have the support of the community. I can tell you that we are fortunate to have great community support in Bellevue and it is important to recognize and thank a couple of groups and individuals that helped us make this complex a reality.
A few weeks ago, the Bellevue Recreation Department announced that they had received a sizeable contribution from WoodmenLife Chapter WOW 704 NE to name the pavilion over to my left, the WoodmenLife Pavillion.
Doug Dawson from Woodman Life was in attendance today. The City of Bellevue thanks you for this generous donation which was made in memory of CMSgt Don Muhs who embraced the Bellevue and Offutt communities for forty years. After his military retirement, Don sold insurance for WoodmenLife and established Nebraska Chapter 704, the Bellevue chapter. He and his wife Barbara worked tirelessly to share WoodmenLife’s message. WoodmenLife thought this was an appropriate investment since they share the Bellevue /Offutt communities values of family, community and patriotism.
Visitors to this pavilion will see a plaque dedicated to CMSGT Muhs for many years to come.
Mayor Hike closed the brief ceremony by taking a moment to recognize and thank the couple that stepped up to the plate when they heard about this project they worked closely with Mr. Shada to make sure they were involved in a project that they knew would be so impactful to the Bellevue/Offutt Community.
Brian and Carey Hamilton have owned the Beardmore Chevrolet, Subaru and Hyundai dealerships here in Bellevue for many years and what sets them apart is the lasting impact that they have made in the Bellevue/Sarpy Communities over that time frame. Working with their outstanding Beardmore Team, they have made many contributions to our local community through their dedicated community service, exceptional leadership, and generous philanthropic support. Mayor Hike pointed out that, “in fact just last weekend, I was watching my grandkids play baseball up at Baldwin Field and I noticed that the Beardmore Team is a proud sponsor of Bellevue Recreation. Their giving spirit benefits many in the Bellevue/Offutt Community.”
Mayor Hike was proud to announce that their impact continues today as we gathered to officially dedicate the Beardmore Chevrolet, Subaru and Hyundai Playground and thank Brian and Carey for their continued support of the community and for their help in making this playground a reality.
It was a great day for Bellevue that we hope is the start of many good times and family gathering at American Heroes Park.