GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - In August of this year, Gridley City Council approved an expansion of Gridley’s Vierra Park with the stipulation that Gridley Parks and Recreation Director, Trina Leishman acquire 50 percent of the project’s total cost. The City would match her dollar for dollar.

At the time that the project was brought to the Council for consideration, Leishman had already secured a grant from the North Valley Community Foundation in the amount of $25,000 towards the playground’s total installation cost of $180, 954.56. Donations were also received from Orchard Hospital, Gridley Lions Club, Taco Bell, Butte Auto Parts, and personal donations from Margaret Hughes.

Even with those donations, the Gridley Parks and Rec portion of cost was still far away from its share of $90,000.

Recently, Leishman, Gridley, and the Vierra Park expansion project got a big win!

Chico native and Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, has donated $50,000 towards the project – An extremely generous gesture for our community!

The grant comes from the Aaron Rodgers NorCal Fire Recovery Fund. According to the foundation’s website, all grants are approved by the Aaron Rodgers Foundation committee and requests are taken out of the Camp Fire Relief Fund. The Aaron Rodgers NorCal Fire Recovery Fund has actively made grants to support children’s programs, youth and high school sports and transitional and permanent housing. Rodger’s foundation has granted over $545,211.00 of his planned Million-dollar total donation towards the Camp Fire recovery process, to Paradise, Chico and other north state communities.

On behalf of Gridley Parks & Rec, Leishman says, “The grant received by Aaron Rodger's and the Butte Strong Fund through the North Valley Community Foundation is incredibly generous and a game changer for the successful raising of funds needed for the new park equipment. Only $5,500 is needed of the original 90k!”

The expansion project is already underway and will include more swings, a climbing zone, zip-line and more. It is hoped to be completed by spring of 2020.

Many thanks to Rodgers for his work to aid in the recovery process following the Camp Fire and for his generous donation to the children of Gridley.