Pedestrians passing by the lot on the corner of Second Avenue and Croy Street in Old Hailey may wonder about the 8-foot-tall, bright red pole standing among mounds of soil.
Well, they won't have to wait much longer to satisfy their curiosity.
Jimmy's Garden, a pocket park named in honor of master gardener Jimmy Gelsky, who passed away in 2002 and used to live on the site of the new park, is scheduled to open July 1.
The pole, accompanied by a smaller one covered in painted fish, is part of the park's "splash pad," an interactive fountain that will entertain and keep kids cool in the summer heat.
Other features will include an artificial climbing boulder, benches and trees.
The park is largely the result of the generosity and hard work of Hailey residents Chris and Phoebe Pilaro, who arranged to lease the two city lots, an area of about 7,200 square feet, to the city for $1 a year.
In addition, the Pilaros are donating up to $100,000, in the form of a matching grant to encourage others to help with the project.
"The idea is for community involvement at the creative level so that everyone can feel like it's their park when it's done," Chris Pilaro said.
To date, the Pilaros have raised $31,385, mostly from private citizens, and received significant help from area businesses, including Whitehead's Landscaping, which will provide maintenance for two years, and Aqua Pro Spa & Pool, which helped defray some of the cost of the fountain.
"Chris and Phoebe set the wheels in motion with the huge gift of land. Now it's up to everyone to become part of it," said Amy Boyer, who's assisting with the fund raising.
Park organizers, which include the Hailey Parks and Lands Board and the Hailey Parks Foundation, hope to raise the remaining funds before the park opens. They are seeking contributions, especially for pavers ($100), trees ($1,000) and benches ($2,500).
Anyone interested can contact Phoebe Pilaro or Boyer at 578-7649.
In addition, four events have been organized to benefit Jimmy's Garden:
· Thursday, June 7, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Celebrate the Summer in the South Valley Carnival, which will take place in the parking lot of Atkinsons' and The Mint Plaza in Hailey, with all proceeds going to the park.
· Saturday, June 23 and 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Volunteer workdays at the park to help with planting and mulch laying.
· Friday, June 8, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: A grand opening party at Jimmy's Garden.
· Wednesday, Aug. 15, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Back Alley Party at the Wicked Spud in Hailey, with half of the proceeds going to the park.
Phoebe Pilaro unveils one of the fountains that will make up the ?Splash Pad? in Jimmy?s Garden. The new pocket park is scheduled to open on July 1.
