Past Projects
Better Living for Garrison has participated in the following projects within Garrison in order to improve the community
The Meadows Construction of an assisted living facility in Garrison, North Dakota The Meadows is an assisted living facility that was conceptualized in 2006 due to a community need for such a facility. Better Living for Garrison (BLFG) was formed as a 501c3 organization to lead the project consisting of construction of an 18-unit facility. BLFG partnered with Benedictine Health Systems (BHS) and a full-scale capital campaign for the project began in 2007. The fundraising campaign continued through 2009 during which time over $500,000 was raised locally. These donations combined with MIDA bonds provided for the construction of the $3.2 million facility. The Meadows was completed in October 2009 and fifteen units were occupied by the end of the year. BLFG owned The Meadows which was managed by the Benedictine Living Center who operates an adjacent nursing home facility. In 2015, Better Living for Garrison transferred ownership of The Meadows Benedictine Living Communities, Inc.
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Garrison Tennis Courts
Construction of tennis courts in Garrison, North Dakota Better Living for Garrison partnered with Garrison Parks & Recreation on a project to construct two tennis courts on park property adjacent to the Garrison Parks & Recreation outdoor swimming pool. Project planning and initial fundraising began in the fall of 2010. The total cost of the project was approximately $110,000. The project was funded through a combination of local cash and in-kind contributions, a grant from the St. Joseph Community Health foundation, and local sales & use tax development funds. The courts were opened for public use in October 2011.
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Garrison High School Football Field Bleachers
Installation of new handicap accessible bleachers Better Living for Garrison partnered with the Garrison Public School District in late 2014 on a project to replace the bleachers at the high school football field. There were concerns about the safety of the current bleachers due to their age and current condition. They were also not handicap accessible. Project planning and initial fundraising began in the fall of 2014 and approximately $39,000 was raised through local cash donations and other local fundraising projects. The bleachers were installed and available for the 2016 football season.
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CHI St. Alexius Garrison Hospital Emergency Room Upgrade
CHI St. Alexius Health Garrison began a capital campaign in 2013 with the help of Better Living for Garrison and the CHI St. Alexius Health Foundation to expand and modernize the hospital’s Emergency Department. The initial goal of $150,000 was exceeded with over $220,000 raised towards this project. In addition a $285,000 grant was received from the Leona M and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to install an eEmergency system in cooperation with Avera health system out of Sioux Falls. The Avera eEmergency system is a telehealth system that allows medical providers in Garrison to push a button and connect to an ER bunker at Avera. The ER bunker is staffed with Trauma certified Emergency physicians that are available to provide CHI St. Alexius Physicians and nursing staff with advice and assistance in a large trauma or medical emergency.
The entire Garrison Emergency Department project included replacing a 60 year old elevator, expansion of Emergency Department space from 2 beds to 4, as well as the addition of new life saving emergency equipment. Construction began in May 2014 with a completion date of January 27, 2015. 
Wilderness Park Walking Trail & Angel of Hope Memorial Statue
Construction of an asphalt walking trail & Angel of Hope statue in Wilderness Park Better Living for Garrison assisted the Garrison Chamber of Commerce Community Development Committee on a project to address water drainage issue and install an asphalt walking trail in Wilderness Park in Garrison. An Angel of Hope Memorial statue was also installed near the walking trail. The Angel of Hope serves as a remembering and gathering place for grieving parents and families who have lost a child of any age from any cause.
The project was initiated in 2016. The walking trail funding consisted primarily of a grant obtained by the City of Garrison through the ND Department of Transportation. The grant funding was supplemented by local cash and in-kind donations as well as funds contributed by the Garrison Area Improvement Association (GAIA) and local sales & use tax development funds. BLFG participated in local fundraising efforts and served as fiscal agent for the project. |
Hugh P. Minehan Post 49 American Legion
Baseball Field Improvement Better Living for Garrison entered into a partnership with the Titans’ Baseball Board and Garrison Parks & Recreation in the fall of 2012 for improvements to the Hugh P. Minehan Post 49 Legion baseball field. The project included installation of a grass infield with an underground sprinkler system, construction of a new concession building including a second story media booth, restrooms, and storage area, installation of new bleachers with awning set on concrete, and installation of an electronic scoreboard that was designed to be shared with the adjacent high school football field. Approximately $101,000 was raised for the project which included local cash and in-kind donations, grants from the Minnesota Twins organizations and McLean Electric Cooperative, and funds from local fundraising efforts conducted by the Titans’ Baseball Board. The project was completed in 2014.
Indoor Fish Cleaning Station Better Living for Garrison partnered with the Garrison Area Improvement Association (GAIA) to construct an indoor fish cleaning station to provide a convenient all season facility for area fisherpersons. The facility is located along Highway 37 on the western edge of Garrison. The project was initiated in 2020 and was completed in February 2021. The total cost of construction was approximately $160,000 and was primarily funded through a grant from the North Dakota Game & Fish Department. Other funding consisted of local cash & in-kind donations and direct contributions from GAIA. |
Garrison Parks & Recreation Little League Baseball Field Improvement
Better Living for Garrison entered into a partnership with Garrison Parks & Recreation in the spring of 2014 for improvements to the little league baseball field. The project included installation of a grass infield, installation of new dugout benches and spectator bleachers, installation of new field fencing, installation of a water hydrant on the field, and construction of concrete off-street parking areas. Funding for the project included a significant donation from Don Gackle, a donation from Great River Energy towards the concrete costs, and approximately $20,000 in Sales & Use tax development funds. Local volunteers, Garrison Parks & Recreation and Garrison Public School staff provided the labor required to install the infield sod and dugout benches. The project was completed in 2016.
OUTDOOR POOL Better Living for Garrison partnered with Garrison Parks & Recreation to plan and develop a project to improve the Garrison outdoor pool facility. The project included replacement of the kiddie pool with a splash pad, repair and update of the plumbing and chemical treatment system, updating and modification to ensure accessibility of the pool building. A grant was obtained through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department and was supplemented by local fundraising to fund the improvements. The project was completed in the spring of 2025 prior to the opening of the pool for the summer season. |