Fairfield donor seeks to improve skate park

FAIRFIELD – A Fairfield man who donated to create the skate park in O.B. Nelson Park is opening his heart once again to pay for improvements at the park.

Joseph Mandarino said he donated toward the creation of the skate park a decade ago because he felt that kids were not playing outside as much as he did when he was young.

“I started wondering if part of that was just not having enough places to go or things to do,” he said. “About eleven years ago, when I was thinking about making a donation to the city, I spoke with then mayor Ed Malloy. He suggested a skate park as a space for kids who aren’t really drawn to the traditional sports. Fairfield already had good fields and facilities for those, but not as much for kids with different interests. That inspired me to direct my donation to the creation of the existing skate park.”

But Mandarino said he’s become worried that the skate park is not being used as much as he hoped. He mentioned that the signs at O.B. Nelson Park don’t mention it, “even though it’s actually one of the better skate parks” in Southeast Iowa. Mandarino also thought the unsightly graffiti made parents hesitant to bring their children.

Mandarino spoke to Mayor Connie Boyer about his desire to make another donation to O.B. Nelson Park and specifically the area around the skate park. They agreed the best use of the most recent donation would go to four things: cleaning up the graffiti, adding lighting, rebuilding the shelter, and improving the signage.

Park and Rec Director Calvin Todd thanked Mandarino for his generous donation, and said that work is underway to build a shelter that will measure 20 by 30 feet and sit next to the skate park, with electrical outlets.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com