The current Cloney Park playground in Longview. Longview began as a planned community, established as a mill town by the Long-Bell Lumber Company in the 1920s. Weyerhaeuser built its own Longview mill in 1929. 'We’ve been an integral part of this community since the beginning, and we’re honored to support projects that serve our neighbors in such important ways as Cloney Park,' says Michelle Metcalf.
Well-maintained parks and sporting facilities can be major draws for small communities, but coming up with money for such projects can be a big challenge in some rural areas. So last year, local Giving Fund Advisory Committees in Longview, Washington, Princeton, British Columbia, and Grande Prairie, Alberta, stepped up to help propel three exciting projects over the finish line with significant donations.
These standout projects — supporting an accessible playground, a pickleball court and a hockey arena — demonstrate how employees can take advantage of the Giving Fund to make their communities more active, thriving places to live.
'The Cloney Park Inclusive Playground project represents a significant milestone for our community, blending nature with inclusivity to create a space that reflects both our rich local heritage and our commitment to accessibility,' says Jennifer Wills, director of Longview’s Parks and Recreation Department. 'This project not only provides a unique recreational experience but also serves as a platform to narrate our timber history, from the contributions of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to the modern-day utilization of our forests.'
AN ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND IN LONGVIEW
In Longview, the revitalization of Cloney Park will offer kids a safe, inclusive and accessible playground and green space. The park’s new design was created in collaboration with the local Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
Jennifer Wills, director of Longview’s Parks and Recreation Department, submitted a grant proposal to Weyerhaeuser in the fall of 2023. She was hoping to fill a final funding gap after receiving support from the state legislature.
“Our Giving Fund Committee fell in love with the proposal,” says Michelle Metcalf, an environmental management systems manager for Western Timberlands. “We’re really inspired by the effort this parks and rec team is putting into creating an accessible space for all children. We thought it would be a great project for a special strategic grant proposal.”
The Cloney Park Playground will upgrade an existing park located in a high-density neighborhood in a traditionally underserved part of the city. In addition to play equipment that serves children of all abilities, the park will include educational elements explaining Longview’s history, including its relationship with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, its timber heritage, and its modern-day sustainable forestry practices. Work is expected to start later this year.
“Working with Weyerhaeuser has been an absolute pleasure; their generous support not only for this initiative but also for numerous endeavors in parks and recreation over the years has greatly enriched our community,” Jennifer says. “We are deeply grateful for our continued partnership and their dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all residents.”
A PICKLEBALL COURT FOR PRINCETON
Princeton is among the many towns where the sport of pickleball has taken off as a popular way to have fun and get exercise. More than half the members of the Princeton Pickleball Association are retired Weyerhaeuser employees and their spouses.
For years, these retirees have volunteered their time to clean and maintain the courts, provide free instruction and team up with the town to plan special events like the annual Paddle Battle Tournament. Now, they’ll also be able to help fulfill a local dream.
A $25,000 grant from our Princeton sawmill Giving Fund Committee will enable the town to build permanent pickleball courts. Weyerhaeuser will also provide equipment and labor to help build the courts in the town’s Memorial Park.
“This addition to Memorial Park will truly foster the health and well-being of all those living in Princeton,” the Princeton Pickleball Association wrote in their grant proposal. “Permanent courts will allow greater opportunities to increase family activity, support local school community recreation programs and offer a variety of tournaments for all ages.”
The Weyerhaeuser North Arena has been a community staple in Grande Prairie for more than 20 years.
A BELOVED HOCKEY RINK IN GRANDE PRAIRIE
In 2003, Weyerhaeuser donated funds to help build a new hockey arena in Grande Prairie, which was subsequently named the Weyerhaeuser North Arena. Last year, the 20-year naming rights from that grant were about to expire.
“It would be strange to hear it called anything else,” says Ken McQuaig, Grande Prairie lumber mill manager. “We’re a big part of this community, and many of our employees and their families play hockey at the arena. We’ve always been proud to see our logo on the building.”
Ken stepped up to maintain that tradition, gathering support from business leaders in Wood Products and Canadian Timberlands — including Jerry Nix, vice president of Lumber; Rina Bethany, vice president of Western Lumber; and David Graham, vice president of Canadian Timberlands — for a naming rights renewal, which helps provide funding for the upkeep and maintenance of the arena.
“Everyone was on board, and we hope to continue the renewal process each year,” Ken says. “We’re Canadians. We all love hockey, and many of us have a personal connection to that rink. Our kids play games there, we have a great senior hockey team and the whole community enjoys attending games.”
HOW TO INVEST IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY
Does your town have a special project that won’t be possible without some extra support?
Talk to your local Giving Fund Advisory Committee about the possibility of providing a grant to a project that fits into our seven focus areas: affordable housing; education and youth development; environmental stewardship; human services; civic and cultural growth; workforce development; and diversity, equity and inclusion. The 2024 grant cycle is open until Sept. 30, 2024.
