Washington expanding Madison Park

Washington will soon begin an expansion of Madison Park into an adjacent lot donated by former resident Violet Jones.

“It’s a nice place to walk your dog, it’s a nice place to … put out signs, it’s a nice, pleasant, space along the highway,” City Administrator Brent Hinson said. “Visually, the goal is to extend that look of what we’ve got on the existing park.”

Hinson said the project would improve the area’s drainage, close the alley between the original park and the addition, and pour concrete for a walking path and pavilion. Construction is expected to start next week.

Although the land at the corner of East Madison Street and South Second Avenue was donated several years ago, Mayor Jaron Rosien said it was needed for other uses and could not be developed until now.

“The need for space at City Hall was so great, the garage that was on-site at that property was being used for storage of a variety of things,” Rosien said. “The project started after the garage was moved … several pieces of the puzzle had to happen before the project could begin.”

Rosien said he had personally taken point on the project, given the busy time of year for the parks department personnel.

“These projects are some of the projects that I personally really love, I enjoy city beautification,” Rosien said. “My late grandfather was on the Park Board for over 30 years, and some of that carries on with my passion.”

The city will install a plaque on a park bench in the added area, recognizing the donation from Sandra Jones Baird on behalf of her parents, former residents Triv and Violet Jones. The memorial will meet the city’s obligation “to ensure that proper permanent recognition is provided for this donation,” according to a written agreement with Baird from 2018.