Sam Benn renovations project celebrated

The $400,000 in improvements culminated in many enhancements to the park

Aberdeen Mayor Erik Larson cuts the red ribbon as members of the Preble family watch during the dedication ceremony Thursday at the Liz Preble Court at San Benn Park. Mrs. Preble served on Aberdeen’s Park Board for 22 years and the site named for her is just below the tennis courts where her husband and son played many sets of the game. The Prebles lived near Sam Benn and her children, Gary and Robin, spoke fondly Thursday about their memories of time well spent in the park. The city expects the plaza to be a popular spot for weddings and other events because of its wide, wooded view. New curbs, sidewalks, walls, fencing and other improvements have been made within the 14-acre park on the eastern edge of Broadway Hill during the past couple of years. The tennis courts and surrounding paths are now ADA accessible so more people can watch matches. The park itself offers roughly double the number of official parking spaces and an accessible crosswalk now exists on Burleigh Avenue so people can get from one side of the park to the other more safely.