Orion Township Parks & Recreation Department hosted the dedication of the wedding gazebo and waterfall at Friendship Park on Sept. 14.
Approximately 75 people attended the ceremony. The dedication was officiated by Rock Blanchard, parks and rec director, with the assistance of Jerry Dywasuk, township supervisor.
Holly and Jeff Hudson, who met at Friendship Park’s Barn Daze on a hayride, wanted to get married on July 12 in Friendship Park since the park was where they met.
Holly and Blanchard met in May to discuss the couple’s dream of being married in the park and the donation of a wedding gazebo. Holly had found a local builder, Tanner Building & Remodeling, who was willing to donate the labor for the construction of a gazebo. Township trustees approved the donation of labor and funding for the gazebo on May 19, 2003.
That same August, one of the contributors to the gazebo, Kurt Pieper of Plandscapes, contacted Mr. Blanchard to tell him about a firm, CSI /Geoturf, who were looking for a location to conduct a ‘Build a Pond Workshop.? What better place than right next to the gazebo! The pondless waterfall was constructed at a workshop conducted on Sept. 26, 2003.
The contributors for the gazebo and the waterfall have made a difference in Friendship Park and in the community. Their donations added up to over $16,340 of monetary and in-kind donations and resulted in the new addition to Friendship Park valued at over $30,000.
Special recognition was given to those who made a difference, including the parks and recreation staff, at the dedication. Staff of the Parks & Recreation Department were recognized for their assistance.