Father’s Day concert to benefit Library Park

The community is invited to the Fathers’ Day concert at Jackson Park, from 3 to 7 p.m., to help raise money for the Hood River County Library Park renovation project, and to have fun.

Victor Johnson, Django’s Cadillac and the Hapa Howli Boys will provide varied entertainment for all ages. Vendors from nonprofit organizations will have food and refreshments available for purchase. The Hood River Eye Openers Lions Club will offer hamburgers and hot dogs, and the Soroptimists International of Hood River will offer root beer floats.

The event will celebrate the beginning of construction of the library park — officially, the Georgiana Smith Memorial Park — which curves around the Hood River County Library on three sides. The work in progress can now be seen: bulldozers, piles of rock and other building materials, and the areas of bare ground that will become patios, walkways and planting areas have been carved on the grounds.

This new park, which now extends west to Sixth and Oak streets, is enlarged thanks to the donation of the new parcel of land by the John and Charlene Stoltz family. It is being landscaped to improve its accessibility to the public, according to Virginia Hosford, president of the Hood River Library Foundation, which is coordinating fund-raising and the renovation.

Three patios, one with a pergola; benches, a small amphitheater, and well-graded paths will offer opportunities for sitting, strolling, and enjoying outdoor events. The Oak Street side showcases old stonework and shade trees as well as its panoramic view of the Columbia River.

Paving bricks, available to purchase, will be inscribed with the names of the donors.

Donations for other amenities to the park, such as trees or other plantings, are also being accepted.

Hosford said the Foundation is seeking grant money for the project, but that it hopes to also garner extensive support from the Hood River County community.

Whether or not party-goers wish to contribute to the park, all are encouraged to join the celebration and bring the children for an afternoon of fun, according to Hosford.