The new Character Counts Pocket Park on the walking trail near the Chickasaw Wellness Complex was dedicated Friday, May 9, and marked the end of Character Counts week-long activities.
    The pocket park is a gazebo-style shelter located east of the CWC and provides TriMark Freedom Trail users with a place to escape inclement weather or merely stop for a rest.
    The park area is sponsored by Character Counts in New Hampton through the community school system. The local director of the Character Counts program is Linda Kennedy, school curriculum director. Kennedy also served as the Master of Ceremonies at the dedication program.
    Several community members spoke, including Mayor Darwin Sittig, New Hampton Superintendent Karlos McClure and Pastor Kevin Frey of Trinity Lutheran Church. The featured speaker was Scott Raecker of Drake University, Des Moines, state director of the Institute for Character Development.
    In his speech, Raecker cited the school, Kennedy and the city for the outstanding support of the Character Counts principles. The six pillars of the program are respect, fairness, citizenship, trustworthiness, responsibility and caring.
    Kennedy also introduced the committee that spearheaded the fundraising and construction of the site. A statue in remembrance of children who have died is a part of the park and was donated by Bryan and Gayla Hugeback.
    The New Hampton Middle School music group, directed by Sarah Deutsch, presented a rendition of “America’s Child”.