Two major donations are kicking off the effort to renovate the abandoned Alexander Park just outside Chehalis.
Jim Lintott, a 1982 W.F. West High School graduate, has given $25,000 to the Chehalis Foundation to support the park restoration. Lintott, who received a law degree from Stanford University, lives in Falls Church, Va., and is the chairman of a large trust asset management company.
He is giving the donation in honor of his father, Robert E. Lintott, who taught fourth grade in Chehalis for 20 years, and who died in 1994. The Virginian's mother, Virginia, who served as nurse for the Chehalis School District for 30 years, still lives in Chehalis.
"It seems like a perfect tribute to him since he loved Chehalis, parks and the out of doors," their son said in a written statement. "Alexander Park is a special place and the community deserves to have it reopened as a place where families and children can go again to relax and have fun."
The park is also receiving a boost from the new natural gas power plant south of Chehalis.
The plant, owned by Belgian power giant Tractebel, is giving $5,000 with the goal of raising $5,000 more in honor of the late Traci Hampton. She was environmental manager for Chehalis early in her career. She died in 2002. Employees are raising money in her honor.
The Chehalis Foundation is trying to raise money and mobilize volunteers to clean up the park. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible. Telephone Project Manager Connie Small at 748-1987 for information.
The group has set a tentative public meeting date of March 25 at 7 p.m. to meet with potential volunteers, and to unveil the plan for the park. The meeting, still subject to final approval, will be at the Washington Hotel in downtown Chehalis.
