Crystal Businesses Fundraising for Becker Park
Crystal’s Becker Park has always been a go-to spot for sporting events. Softball teams from around the state flocked there for the annual Crystal Frolics Softball tournament. Outside of the tournament, city officials say it’s underutilized.
“What we’re looking to do for Becker Park is have a totally new vision that will encompass and really focus on bringing people together,” said John Elholm, Crystal’s Recreation Supervisor. “So a large playground, splash pad, performance area, and just a lot of places for people to have a picnic or gather.”
Planning is underway on a $2.5 million redesign of Becker Park.
The plan calls for the removal of fences and the addition of more picnic areas.
The big goal is to construct a playground that would be accessible to children of all abilities, similar to the one at Maple Grove’s Central Park.
Local Businesses Stepping in to Help
The price tag on that playground is an estimated $600,000. Several local businesses have begun fundraising efforts to help pay for the project.
“Really all of them have come to us saying that we heard about the project. They want to, you know — ‘how can we help?’ and that’s just been great,” Elholm said.
One easy way to help is to eat at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Crystal.
Between now and Aug. 31, if you dine there and tell your server that you’re part of ‘Team City of Crystal,’ then 10 percent of your purchase will go toward the funding of Becker Park’s new playground.
