A new community recycling center at Butte Park is the first of its kind in a city park, said Ivan Anderholm, director of the city’s parks and recreation department.

Three barrels have been placed by the restrooms at Butte Park with “cans,” “plastic” and “trash” emblazoned on the lids to help keep the park cleaner. The pilot project, if successful, will be repeated in other city parks.

The recycling center was a project of the Leadership Hermiston Class of 2008. Sabra Alleman, a member of the leadership class, said each class must complete a project that benefits the community. The class sent letters to various non-profit organizations, asking for ideas on how the class could help.

Alleman said the class voted for the proposal that best fit the class’ guidelines.

“We chose the proposal by Ivan Anderholm as being the project that would be most beneficial to the community,” she said. “A design for the recycling bins was chosen based on utilizing the skills and resources of local businesses. This project could not have been possible without the help of our project partners.”

Several businesses helped the project. Sanitary Disposal Inc. started the project rolling by donating $500 to be used for materials. Heller and Sons donated three 55-gallon drums. High Performance Signs painted the lids and created a “Thanks for pitching in” sign. Umatilla Ready Mix donated the concrete for the pad the bins sit on.

Hermiston Payless Lumber donated the material for the slats around the barrels. Todd Alleman of Northwest Marble and Granite cut the tops of the barrels and fabricated the granite plaque for engraving. Brian Fricke of the parks and recreation department cut the material for the slats and bolted them onto a steel frame. He also formed the concrete pad, installed the sign and bolted the recycling sign, Alleman said. Each class member also donated cash for materials.

“The most positive thing about this project is community involvement,” Alleman said. “We can be very proud that local businesses care enough about our community to pitch in and help make it the best it can be.”