DAYTON - A ribbon cutting was held September 17 to officially open the new Booker Sidewalk, which connects the Booker Rest Home to the Touchet River and the dike path that parallels it. Kevin Ball, a Booker resident, used a special set of scissors to cut the ribbon.

The sidewalk begins at the parking lot in front of Booker Rest Home and runs on city of Dayton property adjacent to the baseball and soccer fields.

Columbia Cares, a coalition of organizations in Dayton promoting a healthy community, worked with a number of partners to complete the sidewalk. They include: Columbia County Health System, Port of Columbia, City of Dayton, Skyline Juniors, and Columbia County.

"This is a need Booker residents have had for a long time," said Columbia Cares chairperson Jody Martin. "Since recreation in the community is one of the focuses of Columbia Cares, this was a natural project for us to take on."

The total project cost was approximately $33,000. Financial contributors included Columbia County Health System and Hospital Foundation ($15,000 plus), a grant from the Dayton/Columbia County Fund ($10,000), Columbia County ($5,000), Skyline Juniors ($1,000) and the City of Dayton (in-kind services, including donation of property). In addition, a number of individual and business contributors donated smaller amounts.