By DOUG DONNELLY
Advance Editor
OTTAWA LAKE – When Glen and Jane Berry found out how expensive it was going to be for Whiteford Township to receive shipment of the next round of playground equipment for the township park, they took matters into their own hands.
“They were talking about an exorbitant amount,” Glen said. “Once we discovered the math involved to have it shipped, I told Jane we can easily go after it. Jane and I love to travel anyway.”
Always up for a trip, the Berrys took their own vehicle and trailer to Minnesota, picked up the equipment, strapped it down and returned to Ottawa Lake. Glen unloaded the equipment Monday (April 27) and crews began assembling it last week.
“Glen is always up for hauling anything,” Jane said. “When we found out this could save thousands of dollars, we were happy to do it.”
The savings were just under $10,000.
The Berrys left on a Friday afternoon and made a sight-seeing trip out of it, stopping in the Duluth Harbor, for example, to watch the freighters come in under the lift bridge.
“That’s something I always wanted to see,” Jane said.
The Berrys pulled into Landscape Structures in Delano, Minn. Monday morning to pick up the equipment.
“It was very efficient,” Jane said. “They had a big area full of playground equipment ready to be picked up. They found our order, loaded it up and strapped it down and we headed for home.”
Glen, who retired as a heavy-machine operator a few years ago, has his commercial drivers’ license. He currently drives part time for Strahan Brothers farms in the area.
He said it was about 1,500 miles, round trip, to Delano and back. The Berrys donated their time, equipment and travel to the township to get the equipment home.
“Whatever we can do for the community,” Glen said. “Whiteford is a wonderful community, and I can’t think of a better thing to do for the kids.”
The playground, which has become a centerpiece for the Whiteford Stoneco Community Park, is now in Phase 2. The Whiteford Fall Festival has raised money for the past several years to go toward the construction of the playground.
Jane is a member of the festival committee and organizes the annual farmers markets. She said the community has embraced the playground project.
“We had a great park with ball diamonds and walking trails and frisbee golf, but no place for the kids to play,” she said. “I know how kids love to go to the park, and I wanted them to have a playground that made them want to choose Whiteford Stoneco park. When Ron Miller had the idea to raise money for a playground, I was all in.”
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