By Chelsea Royer
For many years, my walking route has taken me up the 3rd Street hill in Montesano and past the corner of a neglected tennis court. The nets long gone, one will often see parents with children on small bikes inside the fenced area or perhaps playing fetch with their dog. Mostly, the space remains unoccupied and full of weeds.
For years, the unused space has bothered Ryan Watkins, a City of Montesano employee for the past 13 years. About ten years ago, Russ Burke and Jason Manley, both City of Montesano employees, had the idea to turn the fenced lot into a functional play space. Unfortunately, the City budget never had room for this ambition. Where there was room, however, was in the hearts of the locals currently donating to make the project possible.
Larry Quinn was a lifetime resident of Grays Harbor, committed to his community and also to youth activities. He passed away unexpectedly two years ago, but the legacy of his dedication lives. Ryan first met Larry when he was 16 years old and scorekeeping for a youth event. “Larry ran an AAU basketball team, opened gyms for recreation use, coached baseball, and did so much for youth. He was all about bettering yourself and all about kids in the community,” says Ryan. In light of all Larry accomplished, it only made sense to combine the idea of a park with the memory of Larry. The original idea conceived by Russ and Jason now took a jump start under the leadership of Ryan and previous City of Montesano employee, Brandon Klinger.
Presenting the idea of a memorial park, the community jumped at the opportunity to make the plans come to life. Together, Brandon Klinger and Ryan have helped raise nearly $20,000. With businesses like Bayview Redi Mix selling materials at cost and folks like Stan Vessey volunteering time and energy, the project budget is far lower than it should have been.
Brandon has been the driving force behind writing grants and letters, but even so, he and Ryan haven’t pushed for donations. “We want people to come forward of their own will,” expresses Brandon. “We know there are so many other causes out there people are donating to.” Even so, people are eager to give because of the enormous impact Larry Quinn had on the community. “Everyone knows Larry was big-hearted. He would go out of his way to serve kids. He never sought out recognition and brought out the best in the kids he coached. His passing was truly a tragedy,” says Brandon.
Stan Vessey has already torn out the old horseshoe pit where a new one will be created at ground-level, with a cement wall built to double as a bench for people to sit. New asphalt will be spread over the preexisting material that is cracked and uneven and three basketball courts installed. Widthwise, the courts will be short, but lengthwise, the park will host a full-length basketball court. “Larry was huge into basketball and he was constantly coaching AAU teams. Many of the boys and girls on the Montesano High School teams were at one point influenced by Larry’s coaching,” explains Brandon. A scholarship fund was established in Larry’s honor after his passing in the form of basketball tournaments. The new park will proudly host these tournaments to continue supporting the youth in the community in Larry’s name.
“Larry touched so many people that the park fundraising has just taken on a life of its own. I’m excited because it will encourage kids to go outside. We have a beautiful community and this will only help it grow. We have received only positive feedback about our plans,” Watkins says proudly. “We want to break ground in the early fall. The park shouldn’t take long to build once the asphalt is laid.”
Ryan’s plans are to include picnic tables and water fountains to complement the courts and horseshoe pit. With only one other outdoor hoop in Montesano Parks, the addition will be a welcome and far more functional play space for basketball enthusiasts than what Kelsey Park can offer. Not the least of the plans will be a memorial sign, dedicated to Larry and the impact he had on the community.
Donations to the park’s funding can be made at the Montesano City Hall or dropped of at Brandon Klinger’s Edward Jones Investment office on Main Street in Montesano.
