Residents celebrate pergola project at Riverside Park

Everson Garden Club, Lions Club, and residents contributed time, donations

by Brita Adkinson
EVERSON – Around 60 people gathered on Sunday July 25 at Everson’s Riverside Park to celebrate the completion of the pergola project.
Approximately four years ago, the Everson Garden Club began planning a pergola structure for the park. “We wanted to create a place where people could gather,” said Kim Brandt, president of the Everson Garden Club.
The pergola structure was built to provide a place where families, individuals and groups may gather for birthday celebrations, family reunions, receptions and other parties, explained Brandt. The space is open to the public year round.
The idea was first presented to the club by Everson resident Cori Litorja. Together with two other club members, Libby Mades and Judy Toon, Litorja formed the initial committee and developed a plan. Everson architect Wayne Sorenson carried out the professional design for the construction. Many in the community stepped up to help with donations and construction.
“We could not have completed this project without the help of the many, many members of the community who donated both money and labor to make it possible,” said Brandt, adding, “We received cash donations, in-kind donations of materials and also materials at cost.”
She said volunteers who managed the project included Doug and Jason Brown, Dave Wiggins and Dave Geleynse, all local residents. Many others also contributed their time and efforts, Brandt emphasized. She said although the majority of the garden club members are women, many of their husbands helped support the project with their labor.
Brandt, who works as a school teacher in the Nooksack Valley school district for approximately 23 years, said calculations of costs had not been finalized, however, the construction and landscaping costs are so far estimated to be around $30,000. A notable donation of $10,000 was offered by the Everson Lions Club.
With generous donations of soil and plants, volunteers built a retaining wall and put in a variety of trees, evergreen shrubs and flowering shrubs to surround and cover the structure. The center part of the structure has a solid roof, while the remaining part will be partly shaded by plants.
At Sunday’s ceremony, Sara Swisher, member of the Everson Garden Club, welcomed people and thanked all the volunteers and donors. Builders Dave Wiggins and Doug Brown jointly cut the ribbon to open the premises to the public. Everson Mayor John Perry was present, along with many of the volunteers. Although there was not an extensive program, people lingered in the park for a couple of hours, enjoying the snacks, and in particular, Brandt commented, they enjoyed being together, just relaxing and visiting. “We who live in Everson don’t get together like this very often, so we had a very good time,” Brandt added. She said the pergola project is a great example of how “many people make work light.”
People who wish to plan an event at the Riverside Park pergola garden should contact the City of Everson at 966-3411. According to Brandt, the City will not provide a formal booking service, however, they will make a note on the calendar of any individuals or groups who plan to use the space.