News Release
April 16, 2007
Dedication for Russell Park Set for April 21st
McCook Community Foundation, the City of McCook and Marty Russell are pleased to announce the dedication of Russell Park on Saturday, April 21st, at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend the official opening of the newest park in the city. Comments will be shared by Marty Russell, Mayor Dennis Berry, and past MCF Chairman, Mark Graff. The project has redeveloped the city owned lot that encompasses the east water tower on East Fifth Street. The park includes a full basketball court, a playground with assorted equipment, a horse shoe pit, a BBQ grill and several picnic tables.
The park was funded through a gift from the Martin Russell family to McCook Community Foundation. A 1963 graduate of MHS, Marty Russell, son of Carson Russell provided the actual design and specifications for the park through his company in Castle Rock – the Russell Group. McCook Community Foundation worked with the Parks Advisory Committee and the City of McCook to provide construction of the improvements. The park is named “Russell Park” in memory of Carson Russell and his family.
Carson Russell was a practicing attorney in McCook for several years before his passing in September 1983. Carson moved to McCook from Iowa as a young lad with his family, as his father began working for the railroad. After graduation from McCook High School in 1920, Carson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and subsequently graduated from the Nebraska Law School. Carson returned to McCook where he practiced law for over 50 years. He was a member of both the Nebraska and Colorado Bar Associations and served several years as McCook’s City Attorney. He also represented the Burlington Northern Railroad as their local counsel. Carson was active in the local community serving on the school board and as a board of director for First National Bank of McCook. He also served two terms in the Nebraska House of Representatives, just a few years before it converted to the Unicameral system. At 27, Carson was the youngest representative in the Legislature. In McCook, Carson practiced for years with Tom Colfer and at one time the law partnership included George Norris. After retirement Carson moved briefly to Estes Park, Colorado returning to McCook in 1978 upon the death of his wife. He then resided in McCook until his death in 1983.
McCook Community Foundation is affiliated with the Nebraska Community Foundation. Several causes have utilized the foundation and its 501(c)3 status to raise funds, such as, Share-A-Seat Campaign, diving board project at the YMCA, Bison Alumni Newsletter and the McCook Toy Box.
For more information, contact Stan Goodwin at 308-345-2580, Chairman, McCook Community Foundation, Mark Graff, Past Chairman at 308-345-4240 or Denise Ringenberg, Executive Director at 308-345-5188 or email at foundation@mccookne.org.