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About Our Organization
The Friends of Latham Park organized in 2001 for the purpose of saving the park. This privately owned park was left to the Siouxland community in 1937 for the enjoyment of the public and was supported for many years by trust funds. When those began to run out due to inflation, the Friends banded together to bring fundraisers, donors and grants to the rescue. Much of the infrastructure has been improved, and the park is again a popular site for weddings, reunions, photo shoots, art & music festivals. The goal is to continue to maintain and preserve this historic venue for everyone to enjoy.
We are raising funds for the refurbishment of the West Gate Entrance. This is the entrance on the corner of Orleans Ave. and S. Cedar Streets. Several trees that have died and bushes need to be dug out and replanted. Because this is more than what the Friends of Latham Park are able to physically do on their own, we need to hire a landscaper to remove the trees and replant the entrance area. We anticipate this to cost between $1,500 to $3,000.
For the fiscal year of 2021-22, we have planned to tear down one very old outbuilding and upgrade two others, both exterior and interior. These buildings house all of the equipment used to maintain the park grounds and store the tables and chairs that are available to the public to use for their events, such as weddings. Also, the plumbing in the fountain needs to be renovated, as it has been non-operational for half of the season this year. Workmen are lined up for these projects, which will begin after the park closes for the season in early October.
Due to the impact of Covid-19 this year, we missed out on two of our annual fundraiser events. To help compensate for this, we are hoping here to add monies to our endowment fund, thus enabling us to plan for beautiful 2021 gardens. We normally go into the winter with $2500 bankrolled and designated for the purchase of annuals; that fund is virtually void this year. We hope Siouxlanders who regularly enjoy the Park will help us obtain the necessary dollars to perpetuate its beauty!