New playground opens in Sisters

The Sisters community gathered together on Tuesday, August 16 to celebrate the grand opening of the new playground at Cliff Clemens Park on Larch Street. Mayor Lon Kellstrom was on hand to officiate, recognizing Sisters Kiwanis and the Clemens family for their generous donation to the city for the playground equipment.

On hand to cut the ribbon and open the playground was Cliff's son, Dave Clemens. The playground includes a swing set, the first ever installed at a Sisters city park. Other features include a climbing structure and rotating cups. Evelyn Brush and her kids at A Joyful Noise Learning Center were eager to try it all out.

In 2000, the City of Sisters completed a parks master plan which envisioned improvements to the park, then known simply as Larch Street Park. The land was first deeded to the city for a future park by Ted Eady, Steve McGhehey and Richard Carpenter. It was originally developed with the assistance of Steve McGhehey during the construction of the nearby Park Place subdivision.

In 2004, the park was named to recognize the accomplishments of Clifton ("Cliff") Clemens and his contributions to the Sisters community, including his 14-year service on the Sisters School Board, his organizing of the Sisters Kiwanis and service as its first president, creating the pavilion at the Sisters Rodeo grounds for the Kiwanis pancake breakfast, and saving and maintaining the Sisters Airport, including creating a space for

AirLink.

Sisters Kiwanis has been instrumental in making improvements at Clemens Park including its signage, fencing and a memorial bench in honor of Cliff Clemens. Future improvements envisioned in the park master plan include a rest room, picnic area and

lighting.

The playground equipment was purchased from Play Land International and installed by GJ Miller Construction of Sisters.