Belwood Kids in Motion raising money to improve community park

A “Halloween Fun Night” fundraiser was held on Oct. 18 at the Belwood Hall, to raise money to improve the park in Belwood.

“We started this initiative in response to a need in our community for a place for children to play together,” said Nicole Hamilton, committee member of Belwood Kids in Motion.

“Belwood is a growing community with many young families and we do not have a park that is functional for children of all ages.”

In addition to Hamilton, the Belwood Kids in Motion committee includes Lauralee Bennett and Crystal Humphries.

Hamilton noted the current park in Belwood was recently updated with new swings and a slide, but does not offer anything for children under the age of five to play on.

“There is also not enough play equipment to support numerous family members to visit the park at the same time,” she said.

The members of Belwood Kids in Motion have brought the issue to the attention of councillors Walter Visser and Steve Van Leeuwen, who Hamilton said are in support of the project, and of township parks and recreation department board members Matt Tucker and Brian Detxler, who will be submitting a proposal to council for funding.

The group also submitted its idea to Aviva, an insurance company that holds an annual competition providing winners with grants for projects in the community.

There are three rounds in the competition - in the first round Belwood Kids in Motion received 111 votes. The second round runs Oct. 21 to Nov. 4.

Members are asking the community to help by voting for Belwood Kids in Motion. Their idea number is ACF17467 - register at http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf17467.

“We saw a need and decided to do something about it,” Hamilton said.

Halloween Fun Night on Oct. 18, the group’s first fundraiser, was a success, raising about $1,500. Admission was $5 for a child’s passport to six stations, including a “treat” station, balloon animal station; and four game stations.

“We wanted to do something so that the whole family comes out and participates,” Hamilton said. “We’re trying to promote the community and families being together.”

The members received support from local community members such as Crystal Photography, which donated time to take professional photos of children in their costume or of families for purchase. The owners of the Hearth, donated their time, equipment, 150 pizzas (which were sold for $5 each) and all the ingredients that went into making each pizza. Klazz Klown donated its time and supplies to create balloon animals for the children.

The members also received silent auction and penny table raffle item donations.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/belwoodmaplepark.