Thirteen years ago when son Bobby was age 3, Liz Wielinski advocated for Hi-View Park’s wading pool where they spent a lot of the summer. “Norma Hill brought this article to my attention; they were going to close our pool.” Neighbors posted signs with park commissioners phone numbers, urging people to call, and attended meetings in force. “I decided I’m going to be that lady that says [by her presence] don’t even think about it.” Recently, the park came up for a refreshing, and June 20 the Columbia Park Neighborhood Association and park staff and commissioners celebrated the re-opening. Bob Wielinski tossed free beach balls to the kids. The grounds now feature age-appropriate and handicap accessible equipment for 2-5 year-olds and 5-12 year-olds, and the beloved turtle that was in the old wading pond is now on dry ground, a new green plastic slide turtle is in the water. And now, a “so happy” Wielinski, as park commissioner and president of the board, is the one getting the phone calls. (Photos by Margo Ashmore)
