All Aboard for Stolley Park hits 60% milestone

The committee of community members raising money for the All Aboard for Stolley Park project has reached a funding milestone. Through a combination of grants, business donations and individual contributions, the group has raised over $450,000 toward their $750,000 goal.

“We are so excited to see the community response to our campaign,” said co-chair Becky Gdowski. “It just goes to show how much Stolley Park means to so many people in Grand Island.”

The All Aboard for Stolley Park campaign seeks to raise $750,000 with the hopes the City of Grand Island would provide the remaining funds for an approximate $3 million upgrade to the park, primarily with the train experience and area inside the tracks. 

The Wolbach Foundation has kicked off fundraising with a $100,000 gift. The group continues to apply for local and state grant funding, and has received positive feedback from many of the applications.

“Even some entities who haven’t decided yet have agreed this is a worthwhile investment in Grand Island,” Gdowski said. “We are so grateful to the many organizations we’re working with.”

While the grants are somewhat behind the scenes, one way the campaign has received exposure is through the traveling Stolley Park train yard signs. The signs include a cutout of the Stolley Train engine and three smaller signs to promote the campaign, including one that says “I’m proudly paying $50 to support Stolley Park.”

“So far, our traveling yard signs have been in 58 yards around town and raised more than $8,000,” Gdowski said. “Most have happily donated $50; while one gentleman donated $5,000! We can’t wait to see where they go next.”

The committee has also been pushing their message by being active. They had a float in the Harvest of Harmony parade and were on hand during the Halloween Express event at Stolley Park.

“We’ve had great support from the Walnut DC Diplomats,” Gdowski said. “These students are volunteering to help our efforts to raise awareness of the campaign. They are great kids, many of whom have enjoyed the park growing up.”

Stolley Park is Grand Island’s largest park with attractions such as its flower gardens, soccer fields, disc golf and picnic pavilions attracting visitors for decades, up to 200,000 each year. Recent additions include pickleball courts, a splash pad and a new entrance. Among the park’s best-known amenities are the Kids Kingdom playground and the Stolley Park Railroad, which draws more than 12,000 passengers per year. 

The proposed upgrades the committee is raising money for include:
Additional train features such as tunnels and signals
Inclusive play mounds and structures
Clear paths for walking
Textured biking pump tracks
Beautification and seating

The committee continues to accept donations on their way to the goal of $750,000. Anyone who would like to donate can learn more about the project and donate online at gicf.org/all-aboard. If someone is interested in having the train signs in their yard, they can email allaboard4sp@gmail.com. 

All donations are made through the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation and are tax deductible.