Cadets from the Kenneth ‘Honey’ Rubenstein Center help with upgrades to the Riverfront Park in Davis.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
DAVIS – Cadets at the Kenneth ‘Honey’ Rubenstein Center have built new picnic tables and refuge receptacles for the Riverfront Park in Davis. Rubenstein Center instructor Travis Hamrick said the group was trying to help out and do some community service.
“Some of the fellows are newer students and construction is new to them. Later we will do some framing, but this project really helps out the community. We made trash can receptacles and three eight foot picnic tables,” he said.
Groundskeeper Caleb Johnson said a group in Davis is working hard to get grants and funds to improve Riverfront Park.
“We are working to give the park a makeover,” he said. “In the future we hope to add restrooms and acquire more playground equipment for the younger kids. We have a pirate ship being built. We are working to get a castle.”
Johnson said it is great to have Hamrick and the Rubenstein Cadets working to help complete the projects.
“Anything you get out there is built well and is going to last a long time,” Johnson said.
Cadets moving the new equipment into place included Matthew, Emanuel, Austin and Josh.
“Anything we can help with, we try to do it,” one of the Cadets said.
The Riverfront Park has a view of the Blackwater River. Tina Lipscomb, Davis Councilwoman and member of the Riverfront Park Committee, said the pirate ship at the park was donated in her husband’s memory.
“We have a vision to see Riverfront Park utilized and want to see a stage, permanent bathrooms and eventually, move the Leaf Peepers Festival down here,” she said. “I also would like to see Friday night concerts down here as well as movie night in the park. We want to attract visitors, but also want to give back to our community.”
Lipscomb said the items made by the Cadets are a wonderful addition to the park.
Kenneth ‘Honey’ Rubenstein Center Principal Junior Helmick said the project was good for all involved.
“This was a really good project for our students and the quality of workmanship was outstanding. It is always rewarding when we can do these projects that give back to our community.”
