A project is underway to restore the eight-decade-old stone pillars and adjacent stone walls that greet visitors at the east entrance to Eau Claire’s Carson Park. Cleaning and tuck-pointing the stones has already been completed and copper caps are being added to the pillars, said Jeff Pippenger, community services director for the city. In the near future, 1930s-style lights will be added to the pillars as well. The Lannon stone pillars were built in 1937 – the same year as the park’s iconic baseball stadium – and originally were topped by lights, which were subsequently broken by vandals. Most of the estimated $20,000 cost of the restoration is being funded by the Community Parks Association, a nonprofit that typically holds funds from other groups – such as pickleball players, dog park enthusiasts, or soccer park users – to be used for park-related projects.

“We don’t often have the chance to spearhead our own project, so we’re excited to get behind this idea,” said Jerry Poling, the association’s president. “We hope area residents will support it as well.”

The Community Parks Association is seeking donations to pay for a share of the project. Tax-deductible donations may be made online at www.facebook.com/ecparksassoc or via check mailed to the Community Parks Association, P.O. Box 741, Eau Claire, WI 54702 (note that the donation is for the Carson Park Pillars Project).