Private Donations Cover Most of $51,300 Milnot Beach Inflatables

Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council on Thursday, May 21, 2026, approved a $51,300 purchase of inflatable water-play equipment for Milnot Beach, with a $40,000 Kilton Foundation grant covering most of the cost and private and city sources covering the rest.

Milnot Beach Inflatables Key Points:

• The council voted 7-0 to buy Wibit inflatable pieces from Commercial Recreation Specialists for $51,300.
• A Kilton Foundation grant provided $40,000, the largest share of the funding.
• The local nonprofit Embrace the Lake contributed $5,000, and the city’s share is about $6,000.

LITCHFIELD — The Litchfield City Council on Thursday, May 21, 2026, voted 7-0 to purchase Wibit inflatable pieces for Milnot Beach from Commercial Recreation Specialists for $51,300 and to authorize the city clerk to issue payment upon council approval. Alderperson Robbin Huffman made the motion, seconded by Alderperson Ray Kellenberger.

City officials said the large majority of the funding is private. A Kilton Foundation grant, which distributes money to area organizations each year, provided $40,000 — the largest share of the cost. The local nonprofit Embrace the Lake contributed $5,000, and the city’s portion is about $6,000.

Officials thanked Embrace the Lake, a local nonprofit recently established to support Lake Lou Yaeger, and recognized Heather Bell, who serves on the nonprofit’s board and helps facilitate the relationship with the city. The purchase is part of the city’s investment in Lake Lou Yaeger recreation as the lake marks its 60th anniversary this year.