Community Donates to Expand Inclusive Boundless Journey Park, Phase Two Fundraising Begins

The Farmington Evening Lions Club presented a five thousand dollar check to the Tibbetts All Abilities Park Foundation on Monday as organizers continue raising funds to complete Phase Two of the Boundless Journey Adventure Park. The park, located at 317 E. Apache St. in Farmington, held a ribbon cutting on November 3 and is open to the public while capital campaigns continue.

The donation was accepted by Marilyn Montoya, TAAP president; Jessica Lazenby, TAAP treasurer and fundraising chair; and Chelsea Chairion, outgoing president. “They came and talked to us a couple of weeks ago, and something we support is youths,” said Wesley Brown, Farmington Evening Lions Club president. “This is money that we earn here in our fundraising in San Juan County. It goes back to the community.” Organizers emphasized that support ranges from a million dollar donor to coin boxes, and that every contribution is valued as they move into the next phase of construction.

The park initiative began from a 2016 interaction described by Montoya and recounted by volunteers. “In 2016, while performing an eye screening on a child, it was a difficult screening. Marilyn told the child to open their eyes great big, like they were going high on a swing. The child’s caretaker told Marilyn that they had never been on a swing.” That anecdote helped spur the project and led Montoya, and TAAP co founders Jessica Lazenby and Katie Ashley, to request use of the old Tibbetts Middle School site from Farmington Public Schools.

Organizers say the site reuse reduced land acquisition barriers and allowed faster progress from concept to ribbon cutting. Fundraising has combined traditional community events and seat sponsorships, with booths at the San Juan County fair, the Read and Roar Car Show, and seat donations at the Anasazi Amphitheater among listed activities. “We love it. Our whole organization has been community funds … and we just are so thankful to the Lions and everyone that's helping us make this park a reality,” Chairion said. Lazenby added that community response at the open site has been strong. “It's been packed every time we get here, and so I'm excited for us to get into Phase 2 and get the rest of it built,” said Lazenby.

Beyond the immediate recreational benefits, inclusive public spaces can have measurable local economic effects. Active parks attract families and caregivers, increasing visits to nearby businesses and supporting volunteer and fundraising networks that circulate money within the county. Reusing a former school parcel also reflects a policy trend toward adaptive reuse of public property to lower public costs and accelerate community projects. Completing Phase Two will likely require continued mixes of small scale community contributions and larger philanthropic gifts, a funding model that has driven similar projects to completion elsewhere.

For residents the park represents more than playground equipment. It is an investment in accessibility that can broaden participation, create modest local commerce opportunities, and signal San Juan County’s commitment to inclusive public infrastructure. Organizers say additional fundraising efforts will continue as they work to finish the park for all ages and abilities.