Oak Park Returns - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Oak Park Returns

The sirens sounded at 12:57:20 one year ago today, marking the end of the evacuation period, and the beginning of the Mouse River flooding its banks.
Today that event was observed with a moment of silence at the grand reopening of Oak Park.

Oak Park was among the first landmarks to flood in Minot and at the height of the flood, Oak Park was under more than ten feet of water.
Oak Park is back, complete with the Splashpad, Magic Smiles Playground and fresh green grass.
The ribbon cutting for the Return to Oak Park was a part of this Weekend of Hope, which will include a number of celebratory events through the Mouse River valley.
City and state representatives were included in today's Oak Park celebration including Senator John Hoeven, Congressman Rick Berg and Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley.

 (Mayor Curt Zimbelman, City of Minot) "Oak Park looks amazing. It's hard to imagine five to six months ago the condition of our valley and the condition of our wonderful and well used parks. To see the largest park in Minot bounce back from being inundated with 8 to 12 feet of water, mounds upon mounds of silt and dist ruction to all components of the park, I am deeply touched. To the many volunteers that have dedicated their time and energy to this park, thank you. Thank you for caring."

Last year, with more than 13 million votes, Oak Park became "America's Favorite Park" through a Coca-Cola online competition and earned a $100,000 recreation grant.
The competition continues today, this time for Roosevelt Park which is currently in fifth place.
Visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/KXNewsMinot for voting information.