What's Happening in Concord, CA…

In an effort to improve Ellis Lake Park, George Fulmore, a resident of Concord, is asking others to submit designs for the facility.

Over the last year, the city has improved the park by installing restrooms and expanding the play area by about 2,900 square feet. It has also installed lighting, fences, benches, and a play structure for kids to enjoy.

Perhaps because it has already made improvements, Concord has been reluctant to make any further changes. Fulmore however is concerned that the park's hilly terrain and wants to have it redesigned. Since the city has not responded, Fulmore has created a contest for residents, encouraging them to think up a new layout for the park. He believes officials will respond if they see residents' enthusiasm.

Fulmore is asking residents to submit their ideas on a large piece of poster board. They should first draw the park as it is now, depicting its lake, walkways, and boundaries, then sketch in ideas for additional changes to make the park even safer and more inviting.

Designs need to be submitted at Concord Soccer on Monument Boulevard by 5:00 pm tomorrow, November 5. Fulmore will give the winner of the contest a $100 prize; the winner will be announced at the city council meeting on Tuesday, November 7.

Efforts like this can work well if organizers work with a postcard printing company to create an announcement to mail to residents.