Williamsfield has been awarded the 2019 Governor’s Hometown Award Cup.
21 projects from communities across Illinois were recognized at a ceremony last Thursday, but Williamsfield was selected as the winner for their Playground Barn Raising Project.
WGIL previously reported on the Williamsfield Parks Association and the Williamsfield FFA Alumni and Friends’ efforts to raise a multi-level playground barn and other play features in the village park in 2018.
Member of the project’s joint committee Dustin Courson told WGIL the old playground equipment that was in place was deteriorating
$150,000 was raised, and 77 volunteers recruited, who gave 2,032 hours in efforts to raise a multi-level playground barn and other play features in the village park.
The impetus behind the project though was simply to update dilapidated equipment.
The Governor’s Hometown Awards have given recognition to those who contributed to projects that improved their community’s quality of life since 1983.
The award committee says that the “inspirational barn raising promotes physical activity among youth and embodies the power of volunteerism.”
Galesburg was a Project Winner at the Governor’s Hometown Awards in 2017 for the “Heart and Soul Project.”
This, however, marks the first time a Knox County community has won the Governor’s Cup.
The traveling trophy will stay in Williamsfield for the year, and a road sign will be up by the Illinois Department of Transportation signifying the honor.
