Park Upgrades Bring Seating, Shade, and Safety to East Side Lander Neighborhood

In Lander, Dillion Park on the east side of town is heavily used by neighborhood families, but the playground lacks basic comfort and safety features—no seating for parents watching children, no shade except one small tree, no lighting for evening use, and no grill for gatherings. When a resident who frequently visits with her toddler saw a mother with crutches sitting on the ground because there were no benches, she recognized these weren’t just inconveniences but accessibility barriers. After hearing about LOR-funded community projects, she reached out with a plan to bring Dillion Park up to the standard of other Lander parks. Working with city employees to finalize the budget and installation plans, she proposed park benches around the playground perimeter, strategically placed shade trees, lighting for safety and evening basketball use, and a gas grill to meet neighborhood demand. The lighting will also benefit students from the nearby Catholic College who walk and bike through the area at night. LOR’s funding will help purchase benches, trees, a gas grill, and cover electrical work and gas line installation, transforming a bare-bones playground into a fully functional community gathering space.