This year’s Leadership Aberdeen class invites you to join them in supporting a campaign to raise funds to make Baird Hill a safer, more usable sledding hill for families to use throughout the winter. The class plans to purchase a snowmaker machine and snow groomer for use on the sledding hill. The City has a master plan in place for Baird Park and this would be phase one of that plan. The total cost of this phase will be about $240,000. The class is very close to raising their committed amount of $170,000, but still need to raise a bit more by August 1st to cover the cost of the snowmaker machine and used snow groomer. The city would pay the rest of the cost to include bringing water and electricity to the site, parking lot improvements, fencing and signage amounting to around $70,000.
The impact this project will have on the community is significant. Aberdeen does not have many outdoor winter activities. Through research, we know that about 25% of the population in Aberdeen is under the age of 18. The City of Aberdeen, and other community-based groups, have and are continuing to try to increase winter activities. It is viewed as a workforce retention and quality-of-life effort. We understand that our winters can be viewed negatively by some, so we need to do all we can to highlight the positives of living in Aberdeen and South Dakota during the winter months.
Having adequate snow on the sled hill is the first step in the process. Once that is completed, the City hopes to continue investing in a variety of other winter activities at this location including a warming hut, cross-country ski trail, outdoor hockey/curling rink, etc. See the current master plan for Baird Park by clicking HERE.
We hope that you will consider a donation to this project. If you would like a sponsorship form, click HERE. If you need additional information, please reach out to the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce at info@aberdeen-chamber.com or (605) 225-2860.
About this event and the Leadership Aberdeen Program
This campaign is being organized by the 2024 Leadership Aberdeen class, a program of the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds raised by this campaign and the Beers for Baird Park Pub Crawl will be directed to the City of Aberdeen for purchase and installation of snow-making equipment for Baird Hill starting in the 2025-2026 season.
Leadership Aberdeen is a comprehensive leadership training program facilitated by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce. The program provides participants with the opportunity to sharpen their skills, share their experiences, and make life-long connections with fellow participants. Participants follow a 12-week curriculum which focuses on growing their individual skills by focusing on leadership attributes.
The class also gains broader knowledge of the businesses, opportunities and challenges in our community through tours of local businesses and hearing from local leaders on company philosophies, goals, and success stories. Plus, the class gives back to the community by facilitating a local project, like this, that will have a positive impact on the Aberdeen community.
For information on the Beers for Baird Park Pub Crawl, click HERE
About Baird Park
This portion of the Baird farm was donated by Roger, Virginia and Howard Baird in 2001 to the citizens of Aberdeen for their use as a park and recreational area in recognition of the wonderful childhood and educational experiences they received growing up in Aberdeen. They hoped that cherished memories would be created here long into the future by children of all ages.
To see the Baird Hill Master Plan, click HERE
King of the Hill $5000+
Platinum $2,500 – $4,999
Gold $1,000 – $2,499
Silver $500 – $999
Bronze $ UP TO $499
Please send your choice of sponsorship level and payment to Gail Ochs, 516 S Main St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 or e-mail to gail@aberdeen-chamber.com. Make checks payable to City of Aberdeen or Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department
KING OF THE HILL
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Pub Crawl Business Supporters