Efforts continue to raise funds for Sliter Park memorial project
Fundraising efforts are ongoing for the
new veterans and pioneers memorials at Sliter Park.
About 400 inscribed bricks for the
pathway of the memorial project are currently for sale.
Orders are being taken for the
inscribed 4-by-8 inch bricks that will make up a path to circle a
U.S. flag facing monuments for the Bigfork pioneers and service
members.
“It would be for someone you care
about, particularly for the military,” organizer Jerry Murphy said
of the bricks. “It’s a good social thing to be doing for the
community to remember those who started it.”
Bricks purchased before Jan. 1, 2011,
will cost $50 each, before March 1 will be $75 and after March 1
will be $100.
Prices include inscriptions.
Money raised through the brick sales
will help pay for the memorial project.
Plans for the memorials call for two
stone or brick structures about 5-foot tall, one for veterans and
another for pioneers.
The memorial plans also call for
replacing the current rotting wooden posts around the entrance area
with a rock wall and installing a new Sliter Park sign, a lighted
flag pole, native plants and interpretive signs about the history
of the area.
The group leading the effort, the
Sliter Park Improvement Committee, is also continuing its quest for
information on any Bigfork pioneer or pioneer family who should be
included on the memorial.
“We’re being very cautious to make sure
to cover everyone who should be covered,” Murphy said. “The
challenging thing is going to be setting up the procedures for who
is qualified.”
Anyone who knows of a person or family
the group should check out is encouraged to call Murphy at
837-2459.