Ford Scholar looking for help

A Jacksboro High School senior is working on his Ford Leadership Scholar FFA Project and he needs the public’s help to beautify Sewell Park.

Leo Banuelos is looking to remodel and add some beauty to the facility which lies underneath U.S. Highway 281 near the city pool. For three of the last four years, a Jacksboro student has been chosen as one of 10 Capstone Project qualifiers to renovate and area and make the job ecologically sustainable.

The three rounds Banuelos had to explain what he wanted to do went before Ford officials and Texas Future Farmers of America, of which Banuelos is a local member. Banuelos got the idea for the playground while undergoing training to be such a scholar. He said he saw a lot of folks walking around on the nearby state trail.

The park was named in honor or a former Mayor and it has been 100 years this June since the park opened,” Banuelos said.

Banuelos has three options of playground equipment which he is proposing. He wants to have playground equipment at the park so folks using the pool for parties don’t have to go out to Lake Jacksboro for their kids to play.

The first proposal, at just under $8,000, would includes swings, a climbing dome and swing. Swings and tether ball are part of the second proposal along with a rock and slide component which includes a pair of slides and a pair of climbers. That cost is around $15,000. The last proposal is for an expanded tunnel junction and swings which would run around $20,450 .

Banuelos said he has asked City Manager Mike Smith for city staff to set up the items and to provide. He says the plan is minimalistic and would have very low upkeep. He has raised so far $100 of his own money.

Alderman Craig Fenter said Sewell Park is definitely underutilized and adding to it can only help. To make a donation or for more information, contact Banuelos at the high school.