09.28.11

Hoeven: Thank You For Voting for Minot's Winning Park

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today thanked all who voted for Minot’s Oak Park to win funds through Coca-Cola’s Summer Campaign and complimented the city’s civic spirit. Oak Park won the “America’s Favorite Park” contest and received a $100,000 grant through the Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative.

“Oak Park’s national recognition and grant is very welcome news for a community that has endured so much this year,” Senator Hoeven said. “After this spring’s flood, we’re seen a tremendous outpouring of generosity toward our city. Once again, people came to Minot’s aid by voting Oak Park as ‘America’s Favorite Park’ and making sure it has funding to help it recover from extensive flood damage. Thank you to all who voted to make this dream happen.”

Hoeven encouraged votes for Oak Park when Coca-Cola announced the contest earlier this summer. Online voting closed Sept. 6. Parks in Minnesota and Missouri were named second- and third-place winners, and also were awarded funds. The grants will be used to restore, rebuild or enhance places for people of all ages to be active outdoors.

    Minot is still recovering from the flooding of the Mouse River, which runs through the city. Before incurring damage from the flood, Oak Park was a gathering place for the community, with a splash park, picnic shelters, walking trails, playground and sand volleyball court. The community intends to use the grant to restore Oak Park as a place for families to be outdoors and active together.

The contest is part of the America Is Your Park campaign, a partnership between the National Park Foundation, Coca-Cola, America’s State Parks, and the National Recreation and Park Association. The campaign urges families to spend time in outdoor activities in their communities.