Published Friday, February 7, 2003
system at park
Herald Staff Writer
Brookfield Youth Little League Inc. is sponsoring a drive to raise money for a lightning warning system at Brookfield Township Community Park.
The system will be placed at the concession stand and will benefit the entire park. Jenny Junction Community Playground, a children's play area at Brookfield Community Park, was erected and dedicated to the memory of Jennifer Lynn Boley, a 14-year-old who died after being struck by lightning in the park in June 1995.
But such donations haven't solved the problem of warning people about potential lightning in the area, said Ron Haun, board president.
"We want to get a protection system in there," he said. "This is a safety thing. God forbid the accident should happen again. This isn't just for the baseball league. This is for all people who happen to be at the park."
Haun described the system as a digital box that senses barometric pressure. Through a siren, the sensors will alert those nearby to a storm 10 miles away, then five miles away.
The system costs $6,485, and the league has raised $4,000 so far.
There is a safety award program through Little League, which recognizes leagues that try to keep players safe by instituting safety features, said Tim Mulligan, vice president.
The system should be installed in late April, said Ray Haun, league member.
Donations can be made to Brookfield Little League Lightning Fund at Cortland Bank, Brookfield, and are 501c3 tax exempt.
For more information, call Ray Haun at (330) 448-1429.