Work Continues on Designating Softball Field for Turner Trucking

Work continues to designate the middle slow pitch softball diamond at Hendelmeyer Park as Turner Trucking Field.

The Effingham Park Board agreed several months ago to name the field in memory of Richard and JoAnn Turner, who sponsored the Turner Trucking slow pitch team that was a force in slow pitch in the area for many years.  The Turner Trucking squad was inducted into the Illinois Softball Hall of Fame.

The Park Board approved the design for the sign that is to be placed at the field.  Park District Director Jeff Althoff said the exact location for the sign is yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, work continues on a new pavilion to serve the two back diamonds at Hendelmeyer Park.  Althoff said the old facility had deteriorated to the point it had to be replaced.

Althoff updated Board members on work to stripe the parking lots and install parking stops at Community Park.  The work is already underway, and Althoff hopes it will end confusion over exactly where and how motorists should park.

Board members heard more about plans to remove the tennis courts located north of the Dust home at Evergreen Hollow Park.  Althoff said the courts are to be removed due to water problems at the site and since new courts have been built near the Kluthe Pool.  The site of the current courts will be used for construction of a larger maintenance shed later this year.  Althoff said the new maintenance facility would end many of the trips from Community to Evergreen Hollow Parks for equipment.

Althoff also shared information on plans for a pavilion and concession stand at Community Park that would serve both the Cal Ripken diamond and the southwest diamond, now known as Sehy Field.  The field is named in honor of longtime Park Board member and Khoury League Coach Mike Sehy.