Check out the new added features in Memorial Park

This last Saturday evening was a real treat. You see, our daughter and grandsons were going camping with her co-workers and our son-in-law asked if we could take our canoe out and try fishing. He has never caught a fish, so his asking to go fishing was something special. When the oldest grandson found out we were going fishing, he chose not to go camping but wanted to fish as well. 

 Before we get into Saturday evening, I need to give you a little bit of back story. The last time the canoe was used for fishing, Cathy and I were on Mann Creek Reservoir. We had caught a couple of nice average trout and were doing pretty well. Then we hooked a big one. Sitting in the back, I swung the fish up in front of Cathy for her to take it off from the hook. Well, she had shorts on and the fish started flapping between her bare legs. The darn thing freaked her out. She tried to get away from the fish – and succeeded – by tipping the canoe over. We ended up pushing the upside-down canoe to the far side of the lake and having to walk all the way around the lake back to the pickup. 

 So, even though I was excited to have our son-in-law and grandson going fishing with me, I had a little trepidation of going with two people who were unused to moving around in a canoe.

 Well, long story short, our son-in-law still has not caught a fish. However, he seemed to have a great time anyways because our grandson caught his first trout. It was 15 inches. And not just one trout, but four. The trout would not stay away from his lure. You talk about one excited kid. He couldn’t quit talking and laughing. We probably would have caught more but had to come in because of the wind. I think our grandson is now hooked on fishing – pun intended. And our son-in-law wants to keep trying.

 Speaking of doing things on the weekend, if you are looking for something, check out the new fire pits in Memorial Park. The covered picnic area is just about completed and is usable. One of the fire pits is just on the north side of the new picnic area. The second fire pit is on the other side of the other picnic area on the north end of the park. 

 All of this was provided by funds from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation grant the City received for enhancing what are known as the social determinants of health. You see, staying healthy involves more than watching what you eat and visiting your doctor regularly. Where you live has a huge impact on your health and how long you live. Such things as the safety of the environment you live in, housing quality, social interactions, access to food, education level, outdoor access, and healthcare access all play a part in your personal health and the health of our community. 

 The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation awarded the City of Weiser this grant to be used in our parks to help people come together and socialize as a way to enhance our social determinants of health. Ways to socialize outdoors was one of the ways Weiser could use a little help and so the Foundation stepped in to do just that. And by the way, these improvements are based on a survey you completed telling us what you wanted to see in the parks!

 There are still some funds left from the grant. You will probably be seeing more bike racks around the park, an additional sidewalk going to restrooms, and some new barbecue pits.

 So, please take advantage of the new features in Memorial Park. You will be doing your part to make yourself and Weiser an even healthier place to live.

 Well, that’s it for this week. Weiser really is a great place to live, work, and play!