Ashby takes pride in city beautification
Published Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Each summer many people, young and old alike, come to Thorson and Larson Park in Ashby. The city wants to maintain this park and other city property — enhancing the beauty of the community.
On May 8, part-time employee Dennis Helle seeded grass and placed fertilizer the park. He’s a native of Ashby who, after retiring as a city employee at Maynard in southwestern Minnesota, moved back to his hometown in October 2006.
“I enjoy working at the city parks, and I do a little of everything for the city in this part-time job,” Helle said. “In addition to park work this time of year, there’s also the regular work at the water plant and things to do with the sewer system.”
Mayor Tom Grover stopped at the park, visited with Helle and expressed appreciation to the part-time city employee.
“We as city employees take pride in our community,” Grover said. “We want the parks and city facilities to look nice. We take seriously the work we do on behalf of city residents who also have pride in this community.”
That philosophy, said City Clerk/Treasurer Val Martin, is part of the city’s mission.
The Central Lakes Trail, a well-groomed hiking and biking trail, passes through Ashby. It connects to the Lake Wobegon Trail at Osakis, which makes this the longest paved trail system in Minnesota — covering more than 122 miles.
Ashby’s Memorial Park, completed in 2005, offers a beautiful setting to view wildlife, a variety of plants and trees. The city plans to install horseshoe pits at the park later this year.
“We’ve already received over $900 in donations for the horseshoe pit project,” Martin said.
Residents, as noted by both Grover and Martin, are encouraged to call city staff, the mayor and council members with concerns. Ashby residents also are encouraged to attend council meetings that are held the first Tuesday of the month.
City council members are Kristyn Fick, Carl Ulrich, Lynn Jensen and Peter Hoff.
Ashby has three full-time employees — City Clerk Martin, Chief of Police Thor Tollefson and a yet-to-be determined public works superintendent.
Grover and Helle, as well as Laura Hoff, are part-time employees.
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