Andalusia’s Dream Park will be renovated and expanded this year, as the city’s civic project for Homecoming 2010.

Plans include a 1,200 square foot addition showcasing a wooden tractor pulling a hay wagon. The hay wagon will actually be a handicapped-accessible swing that can hold up to four wheelchairs or eight able-bodied children.

Beyond that, visitors will find a ground-level mirror maze full of activities. A rock wall will expand the play area for older students while every nook and cranny of the park will have Tic –Tac –Toe, musical instruments, pin ball, or other activities.

Kristy White is chairing the Homecoming 2010 committee that has taken on this project. The committee has worked with Leathers and Associates for the design.

This week, they’ll begin raising the more than $100,000 needed to make their dreams of a better park come true.

“This community raised more than $250,000 to build Dream Park,” White said. “Our goal is to raise another $55,000 for additions and improvements and $56,000 for a new surface covering. “

Fundraising for Dream Park will jump start this Fri., May 14, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Superior Bank in conjunction with the bank’s community appreciation day.

Several opportunities are available for individuals to get involved.

Cooperative Propane and Superior Bank have teamed up to donate a Big Green Egg Grill to the Dream Park Renovation. Donations are being accepted for a chance to win with all proceeds going to the Dream Park

Howell Nursery has graciously donated plants to be sold on site with the proceeds to benefit Dream Park.

For more information contact, Al Holley or Jay Kelley at 222-0533. Winner of the grill will be announced at 2 p.m. on WFXX Fox 107.7.

On top of this, Dream Park representatives will be there selling handprints and fence pickets.

“You can come by and reserve a handprint for your child or loved one for $25,” White said. “ You will be contacted at a later date to make the tile.”

Businesses or individuals may also reserve a fence picket (limited to 17 spaces) for your business or family for $50. Come reserve your hand print or fence picket. Superior Bank will be the reservation form and check drop off for hand prints and fence pickets throughout the fundraising drive. Checks should be made payable to City of Andalusia – Dream Park, and should accompany order form. For more information call Lisa Patterson at 334-881-2293.

Volunteers needed

“A successful playground project of this magnitude depends on several key elements, one of which is an energetic community that is willing to help!” she said. “ While we will be actively fundraising, the real success of Dream Park depends on the hard work of all of our volunteers! We need you!”

In fact, the committee needs we need 450 volunteers to sign up before Oct. 20, 2010. You can sign up by sending us an email at dreamparkandalusia@gmail.com or by visiting us on the web at dreamparkandalusia.org.

From the contact tab on our Web page, you can follow our progress via Facebook under Dream Park Renovation. Our first volunteer milestone is 135 volunteers needed by July 17, and 338 by Aug. 18, 2010. You must be 18 or older to volunteer. The Junior Service League has once again graciously volunteered to head up childcare during the renovation. Civic groups are encouraged to rally their members to volunteer.