A community picnic "Pig for a Park" last Saturday raised $2,200 for a new Electric City park, councilwoman Lonna Bussert said Monday.

The fundraiser attracted nearly 100 people who took advantage of a Whitelaw BBQ performance with all the food trimmings. Tables were scattered throughout the grassy park-like area behind city hall, and some even ate sitting on the grass.

Bussert, has been the catalyst in getting the council to purchase land from the Banks Lake Bible Church for a new neighborhood park located behind the city's fire station.

Many in the crowd were not satisfied with just purchasing tickets for the affair, but also stuffed a donation container with nearly $600.

The Whitelaws – Dave, John and Jack – brought their commercial grill and had seven large pieces of pork cooking. They had been at the site, cooking for several hours before the noon picnic started.

Bussert said the fundraising picnic couldn't have happened without the Whitelaws, Ed's Meats, Tom and Joan Youmans, the city workers, use of the Vet Center for cooking, the Grant County Health Department, and the city's parks committee. Several local residents brought food, and helped with serving, Bussert stated.

The city paid $25,000 for the park land and hopes to start shaping the space soon. The city has acquired some of the playground equipment that was surplused by the school board from the old Center School playground.