Kringen Family Donates New Equipment To Lalonde Park In Memory Of Randy Kringen

On Saturday, April 30th, the Kringen family will be having an ice cream social at Lalonde Park, located between Holly Street and West Main Street, beginning at 3:00pm. Free ice cream will be handed out to kids of all ages that would like to come and play on the new playground equipment.

The family donated the equipment in memory of Suzie Kringen's husband Randy, who passed away in April of 2014. She decided pretty quickly that the memorial money would be best used to upgrade Lalonde Park, which was across the street from where their son, Josh Kringen, and his family were living at the time. "Randy always liked to see kids having fun, and I knew that the parks were in need of new equipment," said Suzie of her decision.

"She definitely thought outside of the box," said daughter Serina Everett. "My dad surprised my kids with playground equipment in 2012. I remember him lowering it into our yard on Christmas Day. He loved being a grandpa."

When the family contacted the City of Sidney about wanting to make the donation, City Parks Superintendent Stephanie Ridl gave them all the information they needed including what age-appropriate equipment was most needed in Sidney as well as equipment suppliers. Serina and her sister Nikki Kringen picked out the new swings, tenspin, and play gym and installation began in the fall of 2015. In March of 2016, the installation was complete and the park was officially open for play. "There are so many kids in that neighborhood, especially with the new apartments on the other side of Holly; it's nice to see the park being used," Suzie commented.

Because of the Kringen family's generous donation, Lalonde Park is the first of Sidney's parks to be 100% ADA compliant. The city has potential plans to put in a 350' split rail fence, which would separate the park from Holly Street, and once new seating can be installed in Veteran's Memorial Park, any salvageable benches will be put in other city parks including Lalonde.

"Easter was the first time that we stopped to try out the new equipment and every time we drive by, there are always kids there playing," said Serina. "It's fun to see that people are using it."

Together, Sidney natives Suzie and the late Randy Kringen have three children and five grandchildren. Nikki Kringen and Serina Everett along with her husband Jace and their three children live in Sidney and Josh Kringen, his wife Katie, and their two children currently live in Williston, ND.

In his life, Randy Kringen was a husband, father, grandfather, and business owner who supported local groups and kids' activities across the board from sports to 4H. He was a person who helped where help was needed and his memory will be honored every time someone stops to play, laugh, and have some fun at Lalonde Park.