Kuhlman earns Parks Foundation award

The Parks Foundation of Clark County recently honored a local man for his tenacity and commitment to the area’s youth.

Through his efforts to bring new lights, bleachers and a scoreboard to Louis Bloch Park in Camas, Camas-Washougal Babe Ruth Vice President Dave Kuhlman received the V-Formation Flyer Florence B. Wager Award. The presentation was made during the annual Parks Foundation luncheon in April.

Kuhlman is credited with helping to secure more than $200,000 in grants, cash and in-kind donations to support the project.

Donors included Clark Public Utilities, Babe Ruth Baseball Headquarters, City of Camas, Baseball Tomorrow Fund, Baseball T.O.D.A.Y. Foundation, City of Washougal, CalPortland Concrete, Pape’ Machinery, Excavator Rental Services, 20th Century Contracting, Wells Fargo and Christenson Electric.

“Dave’s dedication to the kids of this community who benefit from access to Louis Bloch Park has indeed served as an inspiration to all of our volunteers,” said Yacolt Mayor Jeff Carothers, event emcee. “His energy and enthusiasm are contagious. It is a statement and testament of Dave’s commitment to our local kids and this park, that so many local businessmen and organizations made substantial donations and in-kind contributions to the lighting projects and for several maintenance and repair projects throughout the park.”

According to the Parks Foundation, the Florence B. Wager Awards honor leaders, volunteers, and parks and recreation professionals who, through their actions, influence, and example, have had a significant impact in the development and enhancement of the parks, trails and recreation programs of Clark County.

Other Florence B. Wager Award winners recognized April 30 include former Parks Foundation Executive Director Cheri Martin, Leading Eagle Award; Clark County Public Works Volunteer Program Coordinator Karen Llewellyn, Tributary Award; and longtime Ridgefield resident and active citizen Allene Wodaege, V-Formation Flyer Award.

During the luncheon, it was also announced that the cities of Camas and Washougal were among a handful of jurisdictions to receive community grants from the Parks Foundation.

“This year we had a record number of grant applications,” said Megan Strand, Parks Foundation Board president. “The review committee was challenged with how to distribute these funds to meet as many needs as possible to make an impactful difference.”

Camas received $3,100 to fund the replacement of the swing set at Louis Bloch Park, while Washougal earned $5,000 to support the construction of a bicycle skills course and pump track at Hamllik Park.

“This exciting project will turn the under-utilized park land into a skills course with challenges of elevated board walks, teeter totters, rock and log obstacles, ramps and minor drops,” said Renee Wilson, Parks Foundation Board vice president. “The fund helps make this project a reality for enthusiastic Washougal residents of all ages.”

Other community grant recipients included City of Battle Ground, $9,000 to fund a free, 10-week summer playground program for youth and families; Clark County, $10,000 for playground equipment at Hazel Dell’s Stockford Village Neighborhood Park; City of Ridgefield, $10,000 for skate park equipment; City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation, $63,500 for free summer playground program, $36,000 for Everybody Plays scholarships, and $10,000 for Sensory Camps for kids with sensory processing disorders.

For more information, visit www.parksfoundation.us or call 487-8370.