A new play structure unveiled July 15 at Orchard Hill Park completes a feature envisioned during the park’s original development but postponed because of limited funding.

The Weston Park Board and Weston Rotary Club marked the addition with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The organizations shared the approximately $10,000 cost of the structure, which Rotary members installed.

“The park does not have an unlimited budget,” Park Board member Shane Bartee said. “We’re a city group that tries to maintain the parks and spend money wisely. It would not have happened without Rotary.”

The structure includes a climbing wall, an interactive tic-tac-toe panel, a ship’s wheel and a wavy slide. The play area also includes grasshopper and bumblebee spring riders.

The addition represents the latest phase of a park project that began in 2021 under then-Park Board President Jennifer Kalous. Susan Finn, the board’s current president, oversaw the administration of the grant as the project moved forward.

The city received $100,375 through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Alderman Greg Hoffman said. The grant required a 50-50 local match.

CUB Development, the developer of the Orchard Hill subdivision, donated the park property, valued at $67,000, as part of that match. The Park Board contributed more than $33,000 to complete the match and later added approximately $15,000 to cover increased project costs.

That means the community received a neighborhood park valued at more than $230,000 for approximately $50,000 in Park Board funds, Hoffman said.

The grant supported the development of the park’s shelter, basketball court and other amenities. The original plan also called for playground equipment, but the available project funding did not stretch far enough to include it.

“Our vision was to have a piece of equipment, but we couldn’t afford it with the grant money,” Hoffman said. “That’s when Rotary came in.”

Rotary and the Park Board later agreed to divide the cost of the $10,000 structure. Rotary members and neighborhood volunteers installed the equipment, poured concrete, completed dirt work and added mulch.

Bartee credited Rotary members Zim Hull and Chris Dinelli with leading much of the installation work. Park Board members and several Orchard Hill residents also assisted.

Hull said the Rotary Club uses money generated through its projects to support improvements in Weston. The club may also apply for matching grants of up to $2,500 through its Rotary district, allowing local contributions to go further.

The club’s broader goal is to help provide smaller recreation areas within reach of neighborhoods throughout the city, Hull said. Rotary has previously supported park improvements near Franklin Drive and at City Park.

“Our goal is to have a little pocket park in every area in town,” Hull said.

Although Orchard Hill Park is expected to be used most frequently by families living along Orchard Hill Drive, Webster Court and Austin Lane, Bartee emphasized that it is open to everyone.

“It’s a Weston park,” Bartee said. “If somebody who lives on Main Street wants to come and use it, they’re welcome to.”

For neighborhood children, the equipment provides another place to play and gather with friends. Madeline Hoffman said she especially likes the spring riders and swings and has several friends who live near the park.

The project reflects years of cooperation among the Park Board, Rotary, city officials, developers and residents.

“We’re fortunate to have such great volunteers in our community,” Hoffman said.