by Kylee Boyter
kboyter@cherryroad.com
If you are a resident of Annabella Town or the surrounding area, you probably knew or had heard of Dusty Wilkinson, as he had diligently served the town for 20 years.
“My dad was a big part of the community,” said Coltin Wilkinson. “He attended town council meetings and managed all town funds like applying for grants, the cemetery, water, roads, parks, and everything in between.”
Sadly, Dusty passed away in March 2021 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.
“Dusty was our maintenance supervisor for the town for twenty years before passing from cancer,” said Mayor Brent Christensen. “In this time he was responsible for many improvements in our town, he was an exemplary employee. The memorial park will be a daily reminder of his great service to the town of Annabella.”
This project began about four years ago when the town council chose to dedicate their newest park in his name.
Shelly Taylor, manager at Home Depot and captain of the Teams Depot Projects, shared her insights on the project.
“About four years ago Home Depot donated the trees,” said Taylor. “Team Depot Projects does community service projects like renovating veteran homes, women shelters, or community projects like this.”
Coltin is also a manager at Home Depot, and when Taylor found out that progress on the Dusty Wilkinson Park had slowed, she took action.
“My thoughts were ‘why don’t we do it?’,” said Taylor.
On July 18-19, employees from Home Depot and the community gathered to lay pavers, spread gravel, and set the final touches to the Dusty Wilkinson Park.
“The park turned out really nice,” said Coltin. “It looks completely different from where we started a few years ago.”
Many individuals donated their time, resources, and service to finalize the details of this community park. Those include Home Depot, Jones and DeMille Engineering, CentraCom, Jay’s Diesel, Scott Thomson, Jim Lewis, Eric Nielsen, Annabella Town council, and Mayor Christensen.
“My hopes with the park is to see it used for family reunions and eventually have a pavilion,” said Coltin. “Family was very important to Dusty, he would want it to be a place for families to gather and spend time together.”
To enjoy the Dusty Wilkinson Park, visit Annabella Town Office, at 295 E 300 N and the park is directly South with beautifully landscaped lawn, trees, and stone work.
