The Bright Lights Book Project: Our Summer in the Park(s) Program
Contributed by Alys Culhane
This summer, the Bright Lights Book Project’s program focus will be on a summer-long literacy program we’re calling “Summer in the Park(s).” The BLBP will be a visible presence at Bugge and Amoosement Parks, alternating sites Monday through Thursday, June 1 to August 13th from noon to 2 p.m. And on Fridays we’ll be on site adjacent to the Palmer Visitor’s Center Garden area.
Our audience is children of all ages and their parents.
Storytime activities will be followed by team building exercises. Kid’s Kupboard lunches will be available at both sites. Free books will be available. The alternative rain site will be the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel.
The idea for Summer in the Park(s) came to me one windy winter night, after Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper suggested that we apply for a City of Palmer Community Council Grant. I went to the website and noted that provided funding “recognizes the valued contributions being provided through the volunteer efforts of community champions on behalf of its citizens” and “demonstrate(s) the Council’s commitment to programs, services, projects, and events that are a benefit to the community. . .”
It occurred to me that Bugge and Amoosement Parks were ideal program sites because they are two of Palmer’s greatest assets, two well-known public spaces. Over the past three years, I’d routinely stocked Bugge Park’s (Big) Little Library, a large yellow and purple structure and Amoosement Park’s (Little) little library.
I subsequently did research on Bugge Park and Amoosement Parks and discovered that the former has historical significance. The site was originally homesteaded in 1914 by Norwegian pioneer John Bugge who was part of the first group of homesteaders to arrive in Palmer. The homestead was situated near the intersection of the Glenn Highway and Palmer-Wasilla Highway, with the area often referred to as "Bugge's Hill."
Bugge intended to donate a portion of his land to the Territory of Alaska for the construction of a state capital. The capital land was instead transformed into a public park. Conversely, Amoosement Park was built by volunteers in a single week.
“Summer in the Park(s)! I yelled to Pete, who was downstairs, working on BLBP funding particulars.
“What?”
“Summer in the Park(s)! I yelled, racing downstairs. “Let’s do a summer long reading/team building program in Bugge and Amoosement Parks. This will enable us to assist young people in making the mind/body connection.
“Good idea,” Pete said, refocusing his gaze on his computer screen.
Pete’s statement meant that it was a good idea, for he generally is quick to say nay to my highly improbable and often unrealistic pie in the sky suggestions.
I next ran this idea past Hally Marshall, the Kids Kupboard Operations Manager. She, who also liked this idea, said that this complemented our combined partnership motto, which is “feed the mind, feed the body.”
Additional research indicated that there was a strong rationale for Summers in the Park(s). The Covid years were deleterious to children of all ages, and in particular for those ages seven and up. Covid made many more inactive, socially indrawn, and less physically active. I reasoned that we could assist Mat-Su school teachers in offering a summer program in which we also put our energies into countering this.
Pete and I contacted grant funders, who eventually included The Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Rasmuson Foundation, the Palmer Lions, and the City of Palmer all of whom championed our past efforts and encouraged us to apply for funding. Pete and I wrote up an all-encompassing matching funds budget, crossed our fingers, and hoped for the best.
I next asked Lynsey Dillinger if she’d design a Summer in the Park(s) poster. Lynsey had created our “All Aboard the Concert Caboose” poster. I partly attributed the success of the recent Mat-Su Orchestra Benefit concert to her colorful design. And so, Lynsey’s Summer in the Park(s) poster is our summer logo.
I next began preparing in earnest for this summer. I continued to organize the BLBP literacy annex, in this way made the story time and curriculum resource books easily accessible to Summer in the Park(s) volunteers and staff.
I next made sure that fliers, postcards, and posters were posted in prominent places, this including BLBP bookcase sites. And I began recruiting volunteers to assist in this program, reminding all that this is a community venture.
Our one contingency plan is weather related. If it rains or is windy, Summer in the Park(s) will take place in the Eagle Hotel.
For more information, contact Alys Culhane, director@brightlightsbookproject.org.